South Carolina National Guard supports 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts during “Bridge Walk"

Photo By Col. Cindi King | Members of the South Carolina National Guard joined hundreds of participants in the "Bridge Walk" event, March 10, in downtown Columbia, S.C., celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts.  

COLUMBIA, SC, UNITED STATES

03.10.2012

Story by Maj. Cindi King 

South Carolina National Guard

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The year 2012 marks the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts’ organization. To celebrate this momentous occasion, members of the S.C. National Guard joined hundreds of area Girl Scouts for a “Bridge Walk” in downtown Columbia, March 10.

The purpose of the walk was to celebrate the theme “Bridging to the Next Century” for the Girl Scouts. During the community event, Girls Scout groups around the state joined Mayor Steve Benjamin and other area leaders for the walk from the South Carolina State Museum across the Gervais Street Bridge and back. Sgt. 1st Class Shawn Mackey, with Recruiting and Retention Command of the South Carolina National Guard, also participated in the walk. The “Mountains to Midlands” Girl Scouts invited female military members to attend to serve as role models as leaders in the community.

“I enjoy being a role model and working with youth,” said Mackey. “Being here can show a young girl they too can join the military someday.”

The afternoon was filled with excitement and camaraderie, as area girls walked the bridge holding their banners and waving flags. At one point the lineup of supporters stretched across the length of the Gervais Street Bridge before the group turned around to assemble back at the State Museum. The Fort Jackson Army Band played various selections for the large crowd as they reassembled after walking.

At the completion of the “Bridge Crossing,” the mayor acknowledged the South Carolina National Guard participants and thanked them for their support.

“It was a fun afternoon and a great opportunity to show the girls they can do whatever they put their minds to,” said Mackey.

Since first being established in March of 1912, the Girls Scouts has had more than 50 million members.

The event culminated for South Carolina National Guardsmen when they were pleasantly surprised with “Thanks-A-Lot” fudge-coated Girl Scout cookies as a gesture of gratitude for walking the bridge with the girls.

• Date Taken: 03.10.2012
• Date Posted: 03.12.2012 20:38
• Story ID: 85132
• Location: COLUMBIA, SC, US