Dear Gentle Reader,
This Trek is being made just for fun because my Scouts got me involved in “living history.” Going the entire 2,000 miles will be challenging, but I trust something worthwhile will come of it. We hope to share the experience with you in a meaningful way through this modern journal.
The invitation for others to participate is due to requests by descendants and others with an interest in this unique historic group. How could I say no? Consequently, Trek Membership Dues are necessary to meet government land use requirements and to cover basic costs. All funds remaining in the Trek kitty will be donated to Not-for-Profit entities with ties to the historic trails we will follow.
I’m learning a lot since 1840’s history is new to me. The 60’s were my generation (grin). If, in my musings, you note a mistake about something you know to be different, please send your kind comment to me. If appropriate, a correction or retraction will be made as time permits.
The essence of appreciating “living history” is to recognize there are always at least two viewpoints about what actually happened, its cause and its importance. It is from each other that we can learn and put our common history into perspective.
“Sincere appreciation” is not sufficient to express the depth of gratitude which is due Phoebe (aka Denny, my wife), my family, Doug Cloward - who gave me a love for outdoor education, our web developers, those who contributed their scholarship or encouragement and to everyone who has or will yet help with this Trek.
And finally, to “my” Scouts, to our young women who are their equal in every respect and to the families that started the ball rolling: The Battalion Trek 2008 is dedicated to you and to those original 1846 Battalion members whom we represent, “in honorable remembrance.”
Your Obedient Servant,
Ebenezer Brown, Sgt., Co. A
Aka – Kevin (Bud) Henson
Midland, Michigan 2007
Update - March Fourth 2008
Wednesday, March 5th, 2008
Dear Gentle Reader,
We are now just four months from “Marching Forth” along the Battalion’s trail. And, in one year from today, the 2008 Trek will be over and have become another part of Battalion history.
When Captain James Allen rode into Mount Pisgah in 1846, he asked for 500 volunteers to serve just one year. Just one year and 2,000 miles later, history had been made that still reverberates today.
A rhetorical question: If the Battalion were being formed today, would you be willing to volunteer? Would the call have to come from the highest authority or would you volunteer on your own?
In that same vein, may we ask that you consider helping us by volunteering to arrange a Trek campsite? It’s not as hard as standing out in the cold during the Olympics. It’s not as dangerous as going on a Scout white water raft trip. And it’s NOWHERE as taxing as being a youth conference chaperone.
All you’d have to do is make some phone calls, ask some questions and get back to us with the answers. We provide the information you need to make the contacts and get the information we need. Probably take less than four or five hours total. Please consider it and e-mail us at Volunteer@battaliontrek.com.
OK. It’s time for a Trek status update. We will begin posting updates weekly or more frequently.
- General Status – We’re doing very well on our preparations. Lots of details left, but things are coming along fairly well.
- Schedule – our up-to-date plans are posted to the website’s “Trek Schedule” page.
- Special events – planning is underway all along the route. There will soon be a new “Event Calendar” page that gives you details about the day and special events. Council Bluffs and Fort Leavenworth get us started in style.
- Route, vehicles – a road route is completed and being provided to Route Scout volunteers.
- Route, hiking – mostly completed except for regions where we are still negotiating for permission to hike across private lands. The permit process for public lands (BLM, state, etc.) is underway and we do not expect any significant problems for those sections.
- Registration – on the website, we are completing the registration module and will have it activated mid-March.
- Tax-exempt status – we have received our “not-for-profit” designation from the IRS. Documentation for contributions will be provided.
Well, that is my report from the wilds of Michigan where the sun is starting to warm things and we hope for spring quite soon. If you have any inquiries, please post them and I will respond.
Dear Reader, I remain, Your Obedient Servant,
Ebenezer Brown, 2nd Sgt., Co. A
(aka Kevin “Bud” Henson)
Midland, MI – March 4, 2008