Girl Scouts Conduct Flag Ceremony To Honor WWI Veteran in O'Fallon

The O’Fallon Woman’s Club partnered with members of Girl Scout Troops from Moye Elementary and Shiloh Schools to honor the life and service of Private Alva Neely at their monthly flag ceremony. Read full article in the O'Fallon Weekly

Girl Scouts Commemorate Memorial Day Across Southern Illinois

Girl Scouts all over Southern Illinois joined their communities to commemorate Memorial Day 2018. Activities included placing flags on veterans' burial sites, marching in parades, completing community service projects and more.  

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois CEO Loretta Graham shared this statement:

On this Memorial Day as we commemorate the lives of all brave service members who died while serving in our country's armed forces, let us remember how much we owe them, how much they have given us, and how much we can never fully repay. And as individuals, as a community, and as a nation, we say to each and every service member who has passed, we love you and honor you for your service. You fought with strength and courage for this country and for its safety and its ideals. The highest merit is due to the soldiers who have died so that we may have the freedom to live not just today, but everyday here in America.

Have a Grateful Memorial Day!!

Loretta Graham, CEO

Girl Scouts Welcome Veterans Home From Honor Flight

On April 25, Girl Scouts from Williamson County welcomed dozens of veterans back to southern Illinois following an honor flight to Washington D.C., where they toured several memorials. 

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois Donates 1,577 Cases of Girl Scout Cookies to Military

With the help of generous supporters, Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois was able to donate 1, 577 cases of Girl Scout Cookies to current military and veterans centers this year through Operation Sweet Treats!

GSSI appreciates everyone who helped share this symbol of appreciation from southern Illinois to our American servicemembers and veterans.

Veterans Day Photos from Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois

This Veterans Day, Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois was honored be a part of a special event at the Saint Louis Science Center, in connection to their Omnimax film D:Day: Normandy 1944.

 

GSSI Girl Scouts conducted opening and closing flag ceremonies, as well as led the crowd in singing "God Bless America." 

Girls were also honored to meet several U.S. Veterans, including Pearl G. Kramer, who was a WAVE specialist, Supervisor 1st Class during World War II. WAVES were a female division of the U.S. Navy and had an important role in the permanent inclusion of women in the U.S. armed services starting in 1948.

These are just a few of the Girl Scout troops who participated in Veterans Day activities.  We appreciate the Girl Scouts showing support all over southern Illinois!



Girl Scouts at the O'Fallon Veterans Day Parade

Girl Scouts at the Olney Girl Scout Parade



Anna-JonesboroTroop #8597 and #8492 met
Retired Navy Vice Admiral Nancy Brown, who was also a Girl Scout Alumna

Girl Scouts marching in the Jerseyville Veterans Day parade
 

Thank You, Veterans!

A huge thank you goes out to our American veterans!  Not just for today, but for every day that we enjoy the freedom and democracy of our great nation.  Words cannot fully express our gratitude!

GSSI Conducting Flag Ceremony at Veterans Day Event at Saint Louis Science Center

 

 

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois is honored to be invited to conduct opening & closing flag ceremonies at a special Veterans Day event at the Saint Louis Science Center.

 

The event on Nov. 11 will include special exhibitions and guests, as well as the OMNIMAX Theater film: D-Day: Normandy 1944.

 

GSSI's opening flag ceremony will take place around 11 a.m.  in the OMNIMAX Theater.  Due to limited seating, reservations should be made by calling 314.289.4424. 

 

All Girl Scouts & Adult Volunteers in uniform can receive a special reduced OMNIMAX ticket price of $6 per person!  Military veterans can attend the show for free.

 

Help us show appreciation to our veterans by sending a photo of your troop or daughter holding a thank you sign.  These photos will be used to make a short video to display at GSSI's display table the Saint Louis Science Center during the event.  Some sample messages include:

 

"Thank You, Veterans!"

"Thank You, Veterans from Girl Scouts Troop (Your Troop Number)"

"We Love Our Veterans!"

"Thanks Veterans! From (Your Hometown Here)"

 

Dalaney Plott from Anna Earns the Girl Scout Gold Award

 

Dalaney Plott from Anna has received the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award a Girl Scout can receive.

For her Girl Scout Gold Award project, Dalaney wanted to honor the men and women who make up the U.S. military.  She dedicated one part of her project to sharing veterans’ stories and another part to collecting needed supplies for active duty soldiers stationed overseas. “My goal was to make our troops feel special while educating the public about those who serve,” she said.  To accomplish her goals, Dalaney dedicated 210 hours to her project – far more than 80 hours of service that is suggested to complete a Girl Scout Gold Award project.

To give the public a glimpse into military life, she interviewed 17 veterans and wrote an article for each one, which she arranged to be published in the Gazette-Democrat newspaper.   The series was a huge success in the community and also deeply impacted Dalaney personally.   

“I learned a lot about history through the eyes of men and women who lived it,” she said.  “Every veteran I interviewed changed my views on the world.  I am grateful that I had the opportunity to meet such amazing people.”

Dalaney also organized a drive to collect supplies for care packages to be sent to U.S. troops in Afghanistan.  First, she rallied the Anna-Jonesboro Community High School Beta Club to help collect supplies from the community.  Next, the Anna Veterans Home helped connect her to a unit serving in Afghanistan.  Veterans Home employee John Reeves, who Dalaney had interviewed for her Soldier’s Spotlight newspaper feature, generously donated the funds for shipping. 

“Men and women have been in Afghanistan and away from their homes – some of them for months,” she said. “Being away from homes, and in some cases, in constant battle, can lower morale.  I wanted to remind them that their country supports them."

While working to make sure U.S. Service Members got the respect they deserved, Dalaney also developed a greater sense of self-confidence and belief in her ability to make a difference in the world.  

“Through my Girl Scout Gold Award project, I learned how to feel empowered and how to inspire that feeling in others,” she said.  “When I started this project I was 15 and did not have a strong sense of self. I am no longer afraid to talk to new people.  I know that I can be a leader in my community because I already have been.  This project has given me the confidence to go out into the world and be the best than I can be.”

Dalaney is the daughter of Juanita Plott and Billie Plott.  She is currently a senior at Anna-Jonesboro Community High School and plans to attend Southeast Missouri State University to major in History this fall.   

The Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award a Girl Scout can earn, recognizes a Girl Scout's commitment to excellence as she develops skills and values to meet present and future challenges in her life.  To earn the Girl Scout Gold Award, a Girl Scout Senior or Girl Scout Ambassador must design and carry out a project that fulfills a need within a girl’s community, creates change, and is sustainable.   The project must be completed with a suggested minimum of 80 hours of work.  Only about 6 percent of eligible girls earn the prestigious Gold Award.