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Girl Scout Troop 202 to honor Jamie Cochran Brown at reunion

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SYLACAUGA, Ala. – Families and alumnae of Girl Scout Troop 202 will host a Girl Scout reunion honoring Jamie Cochran Brown for her years of service in the community.

“Jamie’s record as a girl scout leader is second to none,” said husband Harry Brown Jr. “Of all the leaders of youth programs in our area that I’ve ever seen, she deserves to be recognized for her service more than anyone.”

Mrs. Jamie, as so many call her, first became involved with Girl Scouts when she was in the second grade in Troop 202A. Little did she know, Girl Scouts would go on to be a part of much of her adult life. When her daughter was in second grade, Mrs. Jamie formed Troop 202B and served as the leader for 11 years. After her daughter finished the scouts, quitting time was no where in sight. Jamie had more lives to impact.

Mrs. Jamie formed another scout troop, 202C, when it was time for her young niece to start Girl Scouts. She served as the leader for this troop for 13 years. In this span of 24 years, Mrs. Jamie led and mentored over 50 young women. “I knew that she was an active Girl Scout leader, but she was more than that,” said Harry. “She was a leader, a mentor and someone for there girls to look up to.”

Harry told SylacaugaNews.com this event has been something his wife has wanted to do since 2006, but it just never came together.

To the knowledge and sadness of many in the community, especially those who attend First Baptist Church of Sylacauga with the Browns, Jamie was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 2013. Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease which affects memory and other functions. Harry wanted to hold this reunion now so his wife could be encouraged by the people who have meant so much to her in her life.

Almost everyone who received an invitation will be at the reunion. Harry said people are coming from all over the country to show Jamie how much she means to them. “We have a girl coming from Salt Lake City, Utah,” Harry said enthusiastically. “Moms are skipping their daughters’ softball tournaments. One mom told me ‘My daughter can play softball for the rest of her life, but she may only have one chance to meet Mrs. Jamie.’ That’s the impact that Jamie had on people’s lives. Moms want their daughters to meet her.”

Those invited were also encouraged to write a letter to Mrs. Jamie, telling her about the positive impact she had on their lives. The letters were also written for what could happen in the future. Harry Brown said he thinks about the book, The Notebook, by Nicholas Sparks when thinking about his wife. In the movie, a man reads to his wife, who has dementia and in a nursing home, their love story in hopes that it will bring back the memories of days past. If things do get worse in the future, Harry wants to have these letters readily available.

“I wanted these girls to write letters to Jamie, so if one day she cant remember, I can read them to her,” he said choking back tears. “I want her to be able to relive her life and always know how great of a person she is and the impact she had on so many lives.”

He sent many of the letters to SylacaugaNews.com. Reading the letters, it is easy to tell Mrs. Jamie is everything her husband compliments her with and more.

Here are just a few excerpts from the letters sent to Mrs. Jamie from the lives she influenced:

“You are such a huge part of the person I have become…the mother, the counselor, a member of the “village” in which I now live. If I only positively impact/shape even a small percentage of the lives that you have over the years, I will consider my life a success. You have such a way about you that balanced being a mentor, a mother figure, a fitness role model, and a working mother icon.”

“On a more personal level, you are so very special to me. I cannot tell you how many times my own children have heard your name when I have sung them a silly song or taught them a funny chant. You continue to touch generations of children’s lives that you have never even met.”

“On the most personal note of all, Jamie, you made me feel so loved growing up. I cannot count how many times you picked me up for things or helped coordinate my attendance to events, performances, trips, and parties. You never made me feel like a burden. I cannot tell you how many times your smiling face in an audience made me feel like you were there to support me along with your own children, especially when my parents were not in attendance.”

“I am not sure I can adequately describe how you are responsible for some of my most memorable and favorite times of my young life! As a mother, I appreciate you even more!!!!”

You were not only a constant presence throughout my childhood, but you have been present through many milestones as an adult. You are one of the people I remember being at our house when we got home the day daddy died. You helped make our wedding reception happen when Todd and I got married. You were there when Ashlee got married all the way in Pensacola. I am so thankful for all of the ways you have been present and available throughout my life. This letter only scratches the surface, I am sure.”

“You were our leader and our rock. You were so patient and kind throughout our journey, because bless your heart…you spent a great deal of your time with around 14 girls. At the same time, under the same roof, whether it was at your house, that small little Girl Scout hut next to the park, at Camp Cottaquilla, or wherever. But seriously, there is no doubt that you were successful in showing us how to be kind, patient, honest, hard-working, persevering young ladies. It was obvious, because of your passion. You wanted the absolute best for us and nothing less. You put so much of your energy and time into helping develop us into the women that we are today. And for that, I will forever be grateful. It was all because of you, and we love you so very dearly.”

The reunion will be held at First Baptist Church of Sylacauga in Dean Hall on Saturday, April 29, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. The event will feature refreshments and a program of speakers which will begin at 11:00. Staying in the Girl Scout spirit, this reunion will benefit the local troops. The girls will serve at the event which will allow them to raise money and reach badge requirements.

All friends and families of past and present Girl Scout Troop 202 are invited to attend. For more event information or to reply to this invitation, please send an email to Jamie’s husband, Harry Brown, at [email protected].

Jeremy Law for SylacaugaNews.com | © 2017, SylacaugaNews.com/Marble City Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.


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