Doug volunteered as a semi driver for the 2007 season and quickly realized that he had come home to his beloved Madison Scouts. Doug’s journey, like our marching members, started in November 2006 when he used his “day job” tractor to move the equipment truck from storage to Waunakee for auditions.  Doug pulled the equipment for every camp as well as getting both the equipment truck and cook truck to Baraboo where the corps assembled to start the every day’s season.  Doug took command of the “quirks” of the cook truck most especially keeping our refrigeration unit running which was, on many days, a full time job on top of his full time job!  

During Doug’s interview, he shared a few of his favorite tour moments.  During Memorial Day camp Debbie asked him to crawl under the cook truck while the cook crew jumped up and down to be sure the floor was safe (we were told it was rotting); the cook crew was not going to be outdone by the members fitness program! The floor held; Doug emerged dirty but unscathed.  Fast forward to life on the road. The refrigeration unit was misbehaving (again) so Doug and Debbie departed a show site early to pay a visit to Thermo King.  Naturally, the unit ran smoothly the entire time the truck was in the shop!  When Doug and Debbie departed for the housing site they missed the ramp to the interstate, ended up at the airport and against his better judgment but with Debbie’s urging they turned around in the FedEx lot!  Doug was sure TSA was going to be chasing him.  

After the Thermo King detour, Doug & Debbie reached the housing site ahead of the corps.  Debbie had planned a hot breakfast for the corps but, in case she and Doug were delayed at Thermo King, she packed cereal on the buses.  Doug drove across Arkansas at 80 miles per hour to get the cook truck to the housing site allowing Debbie and crew time to prepare the hot breakfast! Debbie announced that Doug was her HERO for getting us to the site in time to prepare the hot breakfast. This site was in a small town with exceptionally narrow streets. Doug mentioned his concern about the rest of the caravan getting to the school.  JINX!  The radio started announcing the caravan’s progress through town. Then the call for Doug’s Towing.  The equipment truck could not negotiate a turn and was straddling two ditches!  Using the might of the cook truck tractor, Doug’s Towing pulled the equipment truck from the ditches.  

This excitement was the hit of the morning in Fayetteville, AR; we had quite the audience.  But, the real excitement of that night was when Doug realized the refrigeration unit was pulling away from the trailer.  Yes, it was FALLING OFF!  While in Danville, IN Doug reattached the refrigeration unit with cargo straps. We started meditating that the truck would not be stopped in California . . .  a refrigeration unit held on with cargo straps, if noticed, would most likely be impounded by the CA DOT. Brian, Brent and Kevin, guard members, were guests in the cook truck for a few nights when the color guard bus was down.  Doug entertained them with stories from his marching days.  The guys loved these stories and begged for more! One evening, the MS caravan was behind the Crusaders and we came to a toll booth.  Doug decided we should drag race the Crusaders so once the cook truck cleared the toll we were off!  Doug was running through the gears as fast as he could and Deb was letting the MS caravan know what was going on via the radio.  We were being cheered on by our drivers to “go get them”.  Deb held on, Doug drove hard and we overtook the Crusaders and Crossmen; the MS cook truck was too much for the other corps vehicles.  Deb asked Doug if he was going to hang back to let the rest of the Madison Scouts caravan catch up.  She was promptly put in her place . . . I’m going to slow down and look like a fool?  No way!  Doug’s claim to fame is he had every female volunteer on tour in his bed!  That’s right . . . you read it here!  When the corps traveled from the housing site to show site the female volunteers rode in the cook truck . . .the only seat available was Doug’s bed!  Doug also provided valuable storage to volunteers and members.  Doug had quite the collection of stuff.  Doug’s only weakness is skunks.  ‘Nuf said!

Doug touched the hearts of several young men.  As an alum, Doug understands the importance of the Madison Scout way; we are family.  Doug shared this beautiful lesson.  “When you are no longer eligible to wear the uniform you are, and always will be, a Madison Scout. Remember who you are, where you came from and what you represent.  You are a Madison Scout for life.”  Doug extends to the 2007 members his heartfelt thanks for a wonderful summer.

Doug reports he had the best summer since he aged out!  He truly came home and was welcomed by his corps who made him very proud.  All in spite of a milestone, Doug turned 50 on June 8.  The cook crew planned a surprise birthday dinner for Doug that was enjoyed once the semis were moved to Marshall as June 8 was moving day.

Doug has returned to his “normal” life as a driver for Midwest Perishables, Inc.  The 2007 Madison Scouts thank Doug for all of his contributions.  The Madison Scouts extend a very special thank you to the owners/managers of Midwest Perishables, Inc. for the use of Doug’s MPI tractor during our camps.  We also thank MPI for lending Doug to the Scouts for our summer tour.  

by Debbie Krebs