Character:
I was reminiscing about my younger days in the Boy Scouts of America and wondering about the recent slate of attacks against them by the ACLU. What danger could somebody see in boys who promise to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent? Perhaps they fear a group of young men with good character and moral fiber, who might someday wear a military or police uniform?

Memorabilia:
Wherever our members go, we will be expected to bring some momento of our police department or our IPA Region. Unfortunately it costs money to purchase memorabilia and to deliver it to our guests at home and to those we travel afar to see.

Another prolem seems to be that we expect something in return; yes there are those who take and never give! But there are those times when people we meet will give you their homes, spend their vacation time, as well as provide those souveniers; and you know that there will not be any way you could repay them. Try anyway! Your new friends will appreciate anything you do for them and talk about your kindness forever.

IPA Canada:
Region 24 shares a longer border with another country than any other USA Region. And there is not yet any fencing (photo of parallel American and Canadian roads north of Lynden, WA).

Would you believe that Cherie and I have traveled to meet IPA members at least once each month (sometimes as many as 4 times in a month) for the past three years. It has been fun, but it hasn’t been inexpensive. For example, the Canadian AGM in Kelowna required 4 full – 21 gallon gas tanks, the registration fee, a hotel for two nights, two sit-down dinners, and several bottles of exceptional wines from the Penticton-Kelowna vineyards. And we were alone in carrying Region 24’s invitation to Canada; the only other Americans there were of Region 17 Colorado.

We have enjoyed it all, but I’m hoping that this organization which many of us have been working hard to invigorate, will be able to keep up the pace even as Cherie and I reduce the number of trips in 2007 to one every other month (my fingers are crossed).

This June edition of the Region 24 Newsletter will again provide the latest schedule of events including: one IPA picnic every Saturday in August (especially the Can-Am Pignic in Blaine), a short list of summertime visitors, a yet unconfirmed Yakima-Zillah winetasting trip, and the Christmas party. Needless to say, keep checking our website for the latest corrections and/or changes.

As always, remember “Service through Friendship.”