Donald Plourde

DonaldMy name is Donald G. Plourde and I was born December 31, 1943 in Edmundston, New Brunswick, Canada. From the age of 7, and for the following 4 years I was part of a Cub Pack with Mrs. Georgette Dubé as Chief Akela. Then, in 1954, I joined a Scout Troop, where I stayed for 5 years. The Scout Chief was M. Henri Ti-ri Laplante. On July 28, 1959, in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada, I became Queen’s Scout and received my certificate directly from Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. In 1960, I joined the Rovers in which I participated for one year. M. Jean Lebel was Chief at the time.

 

My five years in the scout troop is the period which I appreciated the most. I participated in every wilderness excursions, approximately 8 times a year, as well as two 24-hour outings. I also participated in five long-term (one week) summer camps and a 24-hour winter camping each year. For me, it was very enriching and rewarding as well as character forming due to all the challenges we had to face during the excursions. They took place in the north-west NB region in the magnificent Appalachian Mountains, filled with numerous streams feeding the beautiful rivers that flow into the wonderful Saint John River. So, many anecdotes still remain engraved in my memory.

 

Here is one that was witnessed by many people. It was during our fourth scout camp on Iroquois Rd. at approximately five kilometers from the Moulin Morneau. During these camps, the next to last day was dedicated to olympic games in which I adored participating because, by the grace of God, I had lots of energy. I was known as a youngster who was pretty skillful at climbing the great fir trees of the region. That day ended with the traditional campfire to which family and friends were invited. We were about 300 people around the campfire.

 

At this particular camp, it had been decided that the campfire would be lighted by a torch lowered from the sky on a wire tied to the top of a fir tree and reaching down to the campfire. So, the campfire was set up at about one hundred feet (30.4 m) from an enormous fir tree of about 75 feet high (22.9 m). I, therefore, had the honor of being chosen to climb up the tree, when no one was looking, to launch the torch at the appropriate time. I thought it might be very windy at the top, so when the time came, as a precaution before I went up to set the scene, I picked up a dozen wooden matches and put them in my pants’ left pocket. When Chief Henri declared that the 1958 campfire be started, he saw the torch come down but no fire. He turned up to me and asked, “What’s going on up there?” I answered, “My pocket is on fire!” while hitting myself trying to put the fire out.

 

Unfortunately, in a maneuver when trying to light up the match, I had rubbed against the tree thus causing the explosion. That’s when I dropped the torch that Chief Henri had to light up himself. Everybody had a great laugh, except me who had failed my mission. However, this anecdote made history.

 

Sincere greetings to everyone,

Donald G. Plourde, Queen’s Scout