Planting Seeds

May 27, 2007

By J.J. HARRIER

Frontiersman

Arbor Day is typically celebrated on a national level on April 25.

But we live in Alaska.

Snow and ice are still very much a part of our landscape during this time of year, so in Alaska we observe this tree planting furlough on the third Monday of May, during the best tree planting weather the area offers.

This past Monday evening, a handful of Mat-Su residents gathered for the seventh annual Arbor Day Ceremony, hosted by Cub Scout Group 367, Boy Scout Group 367's Green Mountain Boys and the American Legion Unit 15, at the Palmer Veterans and Pioneers Home. The event was sponsored in part by the Mat-Su Valley Credit Union.

The evening was hosted by event coordinators and scout leaders, Ralph Basner and Chuck Kaucic.

Basner, who has orchestrated this event for four years, notes the even though it is the seventh year of the event, the scouts have been actively participating in similar Arbor Day service work for the past 13 years.

“We really wanted to do this thing with our veterans in mind,” Basner noted. “We want these people to know we appreciate them.”

Sunny skies gathered families, food and forestry to the outdoors as seven amur choke cherry and Canada red trees were planted, not only acknowledge nature's wonders, but to honor service members and veterans from the U.S. Coast Guard, Marines and Air Force. There are currently 13 trees planted outside the Pioneers Home from previous year's events.

Basner, Kaucic, Scouts and 30 other volunteers lent a green thumb in the dedication, but it was the young troops who got involved with the community as they came together with Alaska's military pioneers. Scouts, dressed to the hilt in proper uniformed attire, gave speeches on why they salute the various armed services as Valley veterans looked on.

Basner says that he and Kaucic have had the idea of incorporating Memorial Day and Arbor Day themes for quite some time.

“I'm kind of the grunt of this operation. Chuck's the brainchild,” Basner laughs.

“This truly was a Multi-faceted event,” Kaucic said. “The reason we developed this was to bring our boys closer to our vets in a living form, therefore giving our boys a chance to meet the pioneers who shaped our state's history.”

Kaucic also saw an opportunity for the Scouts to learn about honor and the importance of bringing generations together.

“It's very much a lasting community legacy. To be able to tell our kids, ‘when you're my age, these tress will be 30-feet tall.'

It's a long-term investment for a such a short-term activity.”

Scouts have the opportunity to earn awards for their good merit, including the Good-Turn-For-America badge where community service hours are rewarded after scouts water and tend to the newly planted trees throughout the short summer.

Kaucic foresees the future advantages for his troop.

“Hopefully when these guys drive by with their families, they'll take notice. How cool is it to say you were a part of a living thing's beginnings?”

Troop 367 member, Collin Christiansen, was on hand to sing “The Star Spangled Banner” while cookies and cake were served from the American Legion Auxiliary 15.

Anchorage's Glacier Brewhouse chef and Cub Scout parent, Eric Dubey, served up savory soda beverages to the crowd.

Scouts used knives to cut the ceremony's ribbon and display their badges from previous endeavors. They then presented the various service members with their appreciation speeches.

“What we do is prep the boys to step forward and salute the service members. It's very much like playing basketball where protocol is taught. The Scouts are then sent home with a sentence that begins ‘I appreciate the Veterans because..' where they are then given a learning opportunity with the family to finish the sentence. It's very much a self-esteem building project to enhance their lives and prepare them for their futures.”

“Traditionally we invite members from each uniformed branch to the recruiting office to get member s to show up and lend a hand and we were pleased that a quite a few came out. The good thing was that the weather was cooperative.”

The idea for Arbor Day originally came from Nebraska. A visit to Nebraska today wouldn't disclose that the state was once a treeless plain.

J. Sterling Morton from Detroit, considered the founder of Arbor Day, saw the lack of trees there and campaigned to change the landscape that led to the founding of Arbor Day in the 1800s.

Morton and his wife were notable admirers of nature, and the home they established in Nebraska was quickly planted with trees, shrubs and flowers.

The day was further recognized during the 1870s as many states passed legislation to observe Arbor Day, and the tradition began in schools nationwide in 1882. (Arbor, consequently, is defined as a leafy, shady recess formed by tree

branches.)

American Legion's next observation will be held on Flag Day, Thursday, June 14, when Scouts learn proper flag etiquette.

Contact J.J. Harrier at 352-2270 or valleylife@frontiersman.com