Troop delivers roses every Mother’s Day

Many troops establish traditions. Often, it’s a favorite camping spot or fundraiser. Sometimes, it’s a game day, lock-in or meal.

For Troop 19 of Rochester, N.Y., it’s handing a special gift to their moms on Mother’s Day.

Each year, the Scouts meet at their troop’s cabin on the occasion, preparing single red roses by wrapping them with tissue paper. They also gather greeting cards. Then, they branch out, visiting the mothers of every current Scout at her home, as well as the mothers of the troop’s more than 300 Eagle Scouts.

“This evokes special memories of their boys, their time in Troop 19 and reflections on how diligently they worked to attain that rank,” says Dawn Pixley, a mother of two Eagle Scouts and another who is on his way to the rank. “It is a great example of ‘Once an Eagle, Always an Eagle.’”

Dressed in their field uniforms, the Scouts present each lady with a rose and a card. They thank them for being an integral part in their Scouting journey. Mothers who no longer live in Rochester receive a card in the mail.

Last year, the troop delivered 180 roses, including one to a mother who has received a flower for more than 25 years.

“I look forward to many years of Mother’s Day roses, and all that they symbolize,” Pixley says.

Tell us your unit’s tradition

Does your unit have a tradition that everyone loves? Let us know for Show and Tell, in which Scouters show their favorite photos and tell the story behind them.

Just visit go.scoutingmagazine.org/showandtell. You can also email us at onscouting@scouting.org, and we could feature them in a future article.