Editor's note: The following story was written by retired Army Lt. Col. John Arthur Schatzel, a member of American Legion Post 1219 in Rosendale-Tillson, N.Y.

From December 2005 to November 2006, I served on an advisory team that operated out of Iraq's Phoenix Base, named after the mythical bird reborn from ashes of fire and destruction. I was also a volunteer member of the Green Zone Council, and chairman during the second half of my tour. Working with the council's president, Nima Motashar, and other Iraqi partners, we pursued the reinstatement of the country's charter in the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM); this would allow Iraqi attendance at the 2007 World Centennial Jamboree, establishment of a national Scout camp, and provide handbooks, gear and Scouting opportunities for Baghdad youth.

After sending messages to WOSM and many member nations, we learned that everyone was anxious to help, but could only do so if Iraq initiated the process. As the sand fell through the Centennial "hourglass," we shifted our efforts to the creation of a camp.

Following repeated attempts to work with government officials to improve the security of the proposed island camp, the Ministry of Education allowed the Kashafa (Iraqi scouts) to camp on university grounds in Baghdad, which the council accepted as an interim solution, without abandoning our island camp dream.

Spirit of America, a U.S. non-governmental organization that promotes good will overseas, supplied us with enough troop, patrol and individual equipment to outfit 200 Kashafa. As gear arrived in our tiny mail room trailer and stacked up in small offices, we continued to pray "Insha'Allah" (Arab for "God willing") for a truck to take the gear to the camp. Miscommunication, vehicle malfunctions and security concerns dampened our hopes for weeks until the memorable day when Nima and his friends arrived unannounced in a commandeered truck. All hands helped load the precious cargo.

As soldiers and civilians deployed to Iraq, our team and dream grew. Although we had always wanted to print and distribute Scout handbooks locally and nationwide, we were challenged to find a version of the handbook that did not contain Saddam's objectionable propaganda. Near the end of my tour, a team member assigned to the U.S. Department of State found an acceptable Kashafa Handbook, and had a plan and funds to print and distribute them.

Before I left Iraq, I witnessed an event even more phenomenal than the arrival of Nima's truck. In Iraq, security concerns and time/language differences make every communication with the United States more difficult. Nevertheless, in October 2006, members of the Joint Area Support Group in Baghdad developed an intricate plan that allowed Iraqi Kashafa to participate in the WOSM-sponsored Jamboree on the Internet (JOTI).

Miraculously, despite infinite opportunities for failure, dozens of Kashafa were ultimately allowed to pass through the gates of a remote U.S. military compound, sit behind computers, work with translators and participate in JOTI with Scouts worldwide. As they awaited their turns on the Internet, Scouts learned some knot-tying from Green Zone Council members.

Shortly before returning home, I received a parcel I had requested from a fellow U.S. Scouter. My gift to my Scouting brother, Nima Motashar, was a small vial of campfire ashes collected from Gilwell, Valley Forge, Philmont, and countless other campfires and fellowship activities as recent as the 2005 National Jamboree. Upon receipt, Nima pledged to use them as a catalyst to rekindle the Kashafa spirit and revive the Phoenix.

Finally, last year, I received an update from the Green Zone Council. The coalition has established the Victory Base Council, while the Iraqi Scout Council now includes more than 150,000 youths and several thousand adult leaders, spanning all 18 provinces. The council continues to seek WOSM membership, raise funds, train leaders and pursue opportunities to rebuild and improve Scout camps throughout Iraq. I hear from and about Nima occasionally. I now have an extraordinary keepsake that is as memorable as Nima's truck, and our online participation in JOTI: a vial of campfire ashes from the Kashafa Revival, with Nima's note of eternal optimism: "Insha'Allah!"

Reprinted from The American Legion Online Update. To subscribe to the Online Update, click here.