A Gathering of Eagles
Finally, with a cheer, we began to move, taking our place between an Eagle float and a big, helium-filled Eagle balloon. I glanced over at the bomb disposal guy — God knows how he was managing inside his personal sauna. In the front row, Santa looked like he was melting. The merit badge boys seemed fresh, but some of the elderly guys behind me already appeared soaked.
But we held our heads high, sipped water bottles, and tried to keep our ranks straight as we marched. That got easier when, after the asphalt blast furnace of the intersection of 7th and Constitution, we were met by the roar of the crowd.
Now, I’m not a big fan of parades — I don’t go to them or even watch them on TV. And being an adult Eagle Scout is largely the private matter of a nod of mutual recognition when you meet one of your counterparts in business … but this was something different. And unforgettable.
When the reviewing stand announced our arrival, a roar went up from the thousands lining the route. People cheered, waved, pointed us out to their children, even saluted as we passed. It was an overwhelming, even emotional, experience. Here in the 21st century, after more than a decade of controversy, Scouting has increasingly become a secret society, something you don’t much discuss with your more sophisticated, bien-pensant friends and neighbors. And to now find yourself marching with legions of Scouts, representing “the PhD of Boyhood” Eagle award, before thousands of people cheering your achievement, was far more overwhelming than even the heat.
Around me, my fellow Eagles held the flags we’d been given just a little higher. For each of us, becoming an Eagle was one of the defining events of our lives — our first truly important achievement — and now we had been allowed to honor that award by representing it before the world.
Or at least a large part of the world. What was equally striking about the parade, besides how many people were there, was just who wasn’t there. I have an old Sunday rotogravure from 1937 about the original BSA parade in Washington. It seems to have been supported by an endless list of VIPs, right up to President Roosevelt himself. This year’s parade featured a smattering of mid-level celebrities — but not a top elected official in sight.
One obvious reason was that Congress is on vacation. But that doesn’t explain the no-show by the executive branch. And while the last progressive president put Scouting front and center to his policies for getting America’s youth through the Great Depression, the only sign of our current progressive president, in the midst of the Great Recession, was an image on the side of a balloon.
Why the difference? God and gays, of course. Regarding the first: having known Zambian Boy Scouts who were confirmed Animists, and having seen Scouts pass their Eagle boards merely by professing to believe (as did Einstein) that the universe is not random but has a larger purpose, I’m confused how people can believe that Scouting is a Christian-only organization.
As for the gay “problem,” the Boy Scouts has only itself to blame for letting lawyers write its official position. Unofficially, Scouting has, properly, never concerned itself with the sexuality (in any form) of boys. Until the risks of lawsuits, it had its own “don’t ask, don’t tell” attitude about the orientation of its adult leaders. These days, especially in places like Northern California, where I live, we seemed to have quietly reached our own separate peace on the matter.
In other words, a large segment of our society — including much of the ruling class — chooses to believe a stereotype and turn its back on an organization of 4 million boys and adults, supported by a majority of the population and capable of drawing thousands of enthusiastic supporters for a parade in the sweltering heat of high summer in the nation’s capital. It is a stunning, even appalling, disconnect at a time of unprecedented numbers of fatherless boys and unemployed teenagers, and an unequaled need for trained young leaders. The unspoken message of the front of Sunday’s parade was: here is the bright young future of America. And the message of us in the Eagle ranks was: here’s what Scouting can do. But the people who should have heard weren’t listening.
We understood that. And still, as we started to drip with sweat and the older guys started to limp on their bad hips and arthritic knees, we kept our pace and our chins up and acknowledged every cheer. Even Santa and the bomb disposal guy maintained their stride. Once an Eagle, always an Eagle.
As we (with great relief) neared the end of the parade next to the Washington Monument, I spotted a little Cub Scout, no more than seven and one of the tiniest on the parade route, waving his flag. I finally broke ranks and hobbled over to him. He and his parents were astonished to see me.
“Here,” I said, handing him my flag, “I’ll trade you.”
With the briefest hesitation, he made the swap.
“This was in the Parade of Eagles,” I told him. “Keep it with you. And ten years from now bring it to your own Eagle Court of Honor. Then pass it on.”
I love Scouting. I only got to spend a year in Cub Scouts (a penalty of having a itinerant civil servant as a father), but my sons are both Boy Scouts. My older son just got back from Philmont. My father-in-law, three of my wife’s cousins, and my best friend are all Eagle Scouts. I have every confidence my sons will also be Eagles.
But… “secret society”? You’re living in the wrong state, my friend. Most of my friends’ sons are involved in Scouting. Be an advocate, an apostle to your liberal friends.
And thanks for writing this column….
BBB
Remarkable piece of writing, Mr. Malone. Thank you.
I am also an Eagle, class of ’74, and know what went into achieving that rank. You didn’t really expect the likes of the President, VP, Harry Reid, et al. to notice the event, since “On my honor,…” is so foreign to their values.
Huzzah! As a former Scout who succumbed to sports, please accept
y congratulations and undying respect. Well done!
A large part of what I became was due to Scouting, and especially my Scout Master. He believed in me and a bunch of kids like me, which wasn’t easy (tough neighborhood). So a profound “thank you” to every dad, mom and volunteer.
I’m the mother of one Eagle Scout, and one first class scout, I am so proud of my sons involvement in scouts they are both pushing 40 now
One of the greatest men I knew was a Scout Master however he died when I was about 10 or 11 years old. I did become a Tenderfoot and a Weblo with my uncle as a Scout Master. I later joined the U.S. Navy and already knew the knots they were teaching in Boot Camp thanks to what I learned in the Scouts. I still use these knots even this morning as I was pulling wire from a conduit (I am an electrician, electronics technician, data technician and computer technician)!
The BSA is a great organization from the word go and those who do in fact make it as far as an Eagle are unique and also rare individuals! KUDOS
Scouting Rocks! Did the full Cub Scouts tour, moved to Boy Scouts and made it to Life and part way to Eagle before being seduced into the wonderful experience of Sea Explorers (now Sea Scouts) by the legendary Bill Minto and friends, who formed SES 825. Minto helped modernize the Sea Scout Manual, and is immortalized at the BSA Headquarters here in Houston.
SES 825 mortified and appalled BSA National Headquarters by having girls as members of our post. BSA Headquarters attempted to nullify our charter and it’s worthwhile to note that SES 825 initiated the ground shaking and successful challenge to BSA Headquarters policy and opened the door for girls to become officially recognized members of a Sea Explorer Post.
As an Eagle scout- I commend each and every one of you…..Class of 1971….I constantly “brag” about being an Eagle Scout and get many looks of amazement…..I am a small business owner in NYState and people find it hard to believe I am in the “highest” of ranks in Boy Scouts….I am proud to tell people and know what an accomplishment it was and still is.March on fellow Scouts- a proud nation is behind you!
After reading all my other conservative blogs and learning all the bad news that seems to envelop us this was such a heartwarming celebration of what an American values organization can mean in the life of men and young boys. Thanks for writing it.
We have freedom of association in our great nation. However, with that freedom comes consequences. Not long ago there was a situation in San Diego, Ca. where the Boy Scouts were using public park space free of charge (others are charged a fee for the space). City residents who pay for the maintenance of that space with their tax dollars did not like the fact that the Boy Scouts discriminate against gays. Therefore, they are no longer allowed to use the space for free.
Just to clarify, this recent news of the Boy Scouts as a whole is essentially a smear campaign with a plethora of false information. The decision to uphold the “no-gay” policy was made by the stuffy old geezers at the top of the chain, who have some sort of obvious disconnection with the dealings of the real world. This “legislation” holds no ground on the individual troop level. During my time in Boy Scouts, there were several openly gay members of our troop. Not only were they included, but they were treated EXACTLY the same as everyone else. This is a egregious error in judgement to believe that everyone you see in a Boy Scout uniform is some sort of homophobic anti-Semite. In true form, the Boy Scouts teach leadership, community service, acceptance of all individuals for who they are, and a freedom to choose your own faith, guided only loosely by the better qualities of Christianity, despite the false accusations of fundamentalism.
Daughter of a Life Scout and sister to an Eagle Scout. it’s wonderful to see “old Eagles” out like at the parade. Well done gentlemen!
Thanks for screwing up DC traffic Mr Malone. I’m sure it wasn’t bad enought to begin with.
There is just somethng creepy about an organization of young boys in horrific looking uniforms going out into the woods with a grown man that they don’t know very well, then saying “No gays or atheists allowed!” You wonder why people question the motives of the Scouts.
PS-Don’t come within 500 yards of my nephews.
You, sir, have a dirty mind.
Dear Stephen-troll:
You did not actually read the article, did you.
You merely saw the word “Scout” and performed some copy/paste from a libtard website.
You’re like an inverted version of a HuffPo commenter. Just as smarmy, but since you’re reading this website you do have some common sense unlike Arianna’s followers.
You may or may not be able to come up with something witty on your own, but that doesn’t mean you have to accuse others of doing a copy and paste.
Stephen,
There is nothing at all creepy about boys learning from each other, and from a group of the boys’ fathers, how to be responsible men. That is what Boy Scouting is all about. And if you’re not one of those boys, or one of their fathers, then your opinion about Scouting isn’t really relevant, is it?
Maybe you could give your opinions, and your fashion advice, to someone who cares.
Considering that most of the article is an opinion piece, you could have said the same thing to the author. You chose not to because you like the idea of young boys in tiny shorts going into the woods with old men where they learn teamwork, i.e. being stripped of their individuality at a young age.
Sounds an awful lot like projection, laddybuck. Maybe your nephews need a restraining order against you.
But thanks for bringing your bigotry along.
Stephen,
The article is an opinion piece written by someone who was an Eagle Scout and now has sons in Scouting. He clearly knows something about the organization and its values. You seem to be more interested in talking about your ridiculous fantasies about what “young boys in tiny shorts” are could be doing in “the woods with old men.”
Stripped of their individuality?!?! Where are you getting this from? It is people like you that make me resent the day that “trolling” ever cam into existence. The Boy Scouts of America creates strong minded INDIVIDUALS who will probably accomplish more than you ever will, you ignorant, self-righteous jerk. Also, stop referring to your nephews, because it is becoming a strong indicator that, first of all, you are not married and will probably never have kids, and second of all, you have an incredibly creepy propensity towards thinking in a lewd manner about your blood relatives.
grow up (rolls eyes)
It saddens me that you have such a negative opinion of Scouts. Obviously, you did not have a good role model in your life or God! Scouting is nothing but a blessing to our family and will be forever grateful to all volunteers who take timeout of their lives to have a positive impact on someone elses. It is people like these who make the world a better place to live in! Don’t be small minded my friend.
Of course growing up in Scouting is no guarantee of success in life, but if you could buy a policy that would help insure that your son would grow up to be everything we think a man should be, then the insurance policy would be underwritten by the Boy Scouts of America.
You are an incredibly ignorant person who obviously has never once been even remotely involved with the Boy Scouts of America. As an Eagle Scout (class of 2006), I take enormous personal offense to this statement. I loved every second of the 12 years that I was involved with scouts, and my Scout Master, the late John Barber, was like a father to me, and every one of my troop members were like brothers. Just because of an extremely minuscule number of situations in which a person who should not have been let in the troop strayed from the path, the BSA has wrongfully earned a reputation for pedophilia and fundamentalism. These situations in NO WAY represent the true values of the BSA, which is an organization that openly embraces all faiths and personal values. I hope that you do not speak like this in real life about things that you do not know about, because it makes you sound INCREDIBLY stupid.
Thanks Mike. I have one of your articles from the Wall Street Journal, yellowed from age hanging in my office.
Two of the most meaningful things I did as an adult was preside over an Eagle Scout Court of Honor and restore the list of eagles awarded to members of troop 120 in a church in Las Vegas.
The church was First Presbyterian Church on Charleston Boulevard. All us scouts looked every Monday night at the lengthening list of names hanging beneath the framed picture of the Eagle badge and dreamed of the day our name would be there. It was then and is now, the only place I want my name displayed in perputuity. I even got married there, even though my family were key builders of the University Methodist hurch
The church and that list burned down in in 1980. Former scout master and head of the Boulder Dam Area Council, Zel Lowman and I spent hours combing through the hand drawn records of all of the Eagles from Southern Nevada to find the names from Troop 120. We then contacted every body through out the world to invite them to to the two Sunday services where the new and much fancier plaque was presented. The outpouring was staggering and the world wide attendance was humbling.
It meant a lot to these guys, there families and their survivors. (We lost a few in the war.) As I said, it was one of the most meaningful things I have done as an adult.
Thanks again for your story Mike. It means a lot to many of us.
Obama, “The View,” and the Boy Scouts
What’s next for Barack Obama? A cameo on Drew Carey’s upcoming show, “WTF!”? A plaintiff role on ”Judge Judy?” A hard-hitting interview with Larry King?
He’s already done “Oprah” and “The Young and the Restless” and “Jerry Springer” seem out of the question so where can he go now to get simpering, fawning attention from vacuous women viewers and brain-dead ”progressives” after his Thursday appearance (taped Wednesday) on ABC’s “The View?”
Obama “made history” by being the first sitting Chief Executive to appear on a daytime television talk show at the same time he further diminished the office he holds, something he does almost every day.
Any number of people, Democrats like Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell included, felt it was an inappropriate waste of time for a president of the United States to appear with the ladies. They generally spend their time chatting amiably but insubstantially, or spatting, or ganging up on Elisabeth Hasselbeck on such Earth-shaking topics as upcoming weddings, the real housewives of New Jersey, women having affairs, and teenagers giving oral sex.
Not exactly the topics a president should be dealing with, although Obama did manage to elucidate a bit on the personal ”roses” and “thorns” associated with his presidency.
No fool he, Obama knew he had a receptive audience and guesting on “The View” sure beat dealing with press . . .
(Read more at http://www.genelalor.com/blog1/?p=1811)
God bless you. I was a Life Scout in 1953 in NYCity. Served as SPR and Order of the Arrow and went to the ’54 Jamboree at the Irvine Scout Ranch, Irvine California. Will never forget anything about scouting and the friends that were made. Swapped every day with Scouts from Texas to England and saw a great deal of our wonderful country travelling to and from California. The office of the President of the United States deserves respect, but it is hard to respect this person Obama. I’m not surprised he would pass up the Boy Scouts of America and join the icons of human folly on a TV show. As a person of weak character he belongs with the self-proclaimed “celebrities” and not with good people.
Yes, Praetorian, and I’m sure the City of San Diego has achieved many wonderful things, by not letting those wicked scouts use the parks! Now, if only they could be so proactive about their illegal immigrant problem. . .
By the way, didn’t San Diego just have a huge Gay Pride celebration? Hmmm, I wonder who paid for the police protection for that, and the permits, and if any of it was held on public venues? I believe they had a parade, which put it on the public streets, which are maintained by tax dollars—and wasn’t the SD fire department required to march in said parade one year, though some of the firefighters didn’t want to, and shouldn’t they have been doing something more useful anyway, like fighting fires? Freedom of association, yah, right!
I guess some groups are more equal than others, and some have more right to associate freely, while others must be denied meeting places and be watched every second of the day, lest they commit a sin against political correctness.
http://www.gaylesbiantimes.com/?id=10290
The point concerning Scouting not being discussed much with sophisticated friends is well taken. When an colleague learned that I served as a volunteer on the board of our local Boy Scout Council, he displayed genuine surprise that I would allow my name to be associated with an organization in the crosshairs of political controversy. My reply to him? If someone will identify for me another organization that is doing as much for the youth and the future of this country as the Boy Scouts I will volunteer to serve that organization as well.
A number of years ago, (farther back than I like to think) my son’s troop had lost it’s leader and I took over in the interim, while a new man was clearing his board to take over. Me. A woman. I couldn’t do many things but I arranged rides so an Eagle Scout could run the meetings, and took my son’s troop to where men and Eagle Scouts could do the things that men and boys do on camp outs and the rest.
I was there the year a car, a Yugo, was blown over side of Michigan’s Mackinac Bridge, and me and four members of our troop were feared to have been in that car. I had a small car, packed to the gills with a load strapped on top. We were trapped on the bridge in the high winds and had to be escorted to safety. I was a nervous wreck but the boys said they never realized it, because I kept talking about the adventure of it all.
But, once we got off the bridge and made our way, in the dark to the campgrounds, the feeling was indescribable to have hundreds and hundreds of boys yelling joyfully and reaching out to slap the car at our arrival. The woods were suddenly crawling with laughing faces popping out of the dark.
Stuck in the car on the bridge for over 2 hours, we’d not heard a car had gone over the bridge until we were told why we were greeted so joyfully.
And there is absolutely nothing to compare to thousands of young male voices singing America the Beautiful.
I had 4 brothers who were Boy Scouts. I wanted my son to be a Boy Scout, too. I’ve heard that military bases are no longer allowed to host Boy Scout troops either. Why?
Kudos to scouting and teaching the youth of America values they certainly are not seeing in our President and the Democratic leadership in Washington!!! As a mother of two Eagle Scouts we are all still involved making sure the youth of America are taught the scouting values.
Mr. Malone is a VERY well known journalist around the Silicon Valley. He ran a marvelous program on KTEH, and has covered the valley technology beat quite well over the years. To find out that he is an Eagle explains alot. To find out about his current involvement in the program merely goes along with the fact that he is an Eagle! My own son is at the jamboree also, and I’m a neighbor to Mr. Malone in scouting terms being a Scout Master in the next council north of Silicon Valley (SFBAC..)
With all that said – his article pulled my heart strings. I’ve forwarded it on to a few adult Eagles that I know. I think they will love it.
Mr. Malone – THANK YOU!
Great article. I never made it past 2nd Class, but my son lacks only his eagle project for Eagle Scout. Because of him, I got involved in his troop and got asked to be an Assistant Scoutmaster. My son is at Ft. A.P. Hill and the 2010 National Jamboree and having an adventure he (and 40,000 other scouts) will remember for the rest of his life.
If only our elected representatives lived by the Scout Law. A Scout is Trustworthy,……..
Stephen, are you really in “Afghanstan”? Really?
I certainly appreciate your concern for the traffic in DC, then.
If you’re in “Afghanstan” for the same reason most are, then you’re already within 500 yards (is that yards? or meters?) of one of these BSA Eagle devildog pre-verts. I guarantee it.
As for your nephews, you’ll feel differently once you have sons of your own. And I can tell, by your concern for the young, that you are planning to have sons of your own. Aren’t you. “Nephews.” Heh. That’s just precious.
I work in Leesburg and know Balls Bluff well.
Thanks to you and your troop for your hard work at the site.
I recommend Byron Farwell’s “Balls Bluff: A Small Battle and Its Long Shadow”
It’s a very great pity that our elected officials do not recognize an organization that has given generations of young men a head start in life. A great pity, and a sad mistake on their part… one we voters hope to rectify in the next few elections.
Thank you, Mr. Malone, for this inspiring essay. I was a Cub Scout and had a great time. I became a Den Leader when my son was at that age – a most rewarding experience. Rather than become a Boy Scout, I joined the Civil Air Patrol – another worthy service organization – because I was drawn to aviation. It’s a shame that the left – the New Victorians – are so clueless about the fundamental things.
Made it to Star back in the mid-1960′s, earned the God and Country Award. The outdoor skills I learned helped me in the Army.
When my son was old enough he and I went through 4 years of Cub Scouts and we moved on to Boy Scouts and finally the Venturing program. I saw the program as a framework for father-son activities that we probably otherwise would never get around to. We camped at Gettysburg, hiked parts of the AT, stayed over-night on a WWII Fletcher-class destroyer, visited Concord/Lexington/Boston. My son made it to Life before being poisoned by gasoline and perfume. I made it to Brotherhood-level Order of the Arrow and became a 3-bead Wood Badge holder. I treasure my time with my son and 60 of his closest friends.
Those who criticize the BSA have no idea of what the program is about.
Hindsight is 20/20 and mother was right as always.
I never made it past the Webelos edition because I thought athletics far more important and I was just a little too cool. But if I had it to do over again, I’d switch paths in a heart beat. The young men I’ve met, who I at one time thought the twerps, that went on to become Eagle Scouts are some of the best and brightest now. Some of the best looking too.
Why was mom right? Because she told me long ago if I were smart (I wasn’t) that I would dump those “dumb jocks you run with” and start making friends with the band members and those climbing the ranks of Eagle Scout. I brushed mom off as old fogey and prude when she warned me they would amount to far more when it was all said and done.
Mom proved right if my 30th year high school reunion was any indicator. The cool crowd, the star jocks, the beautiful cheerleaders, the most popular most looked like they had been hit by a train. The Eagle Scouts and band members had titles like Doctor, Lawyer, CEO – still fit and trim.
I learned too late to always listen to your mother.
Made it to Life, then got interested in other things, but Philmont is one of my most cherished memories.
Nephew at AP Hill now. He’s going to the World Jamboree in Sweden next year as well.
Very good Article. Was in Boy Scouts for two years. Unfortunately my school in Mumbai disbanded the scouts because we were paying more attention to scouting than we were to our studies. Lord knows it was more fun. My son, however, did make Eagle Scout. It was a glorious day. Thank you for making people realize the importance of Scouts.
GREAT article.
Thank you for your article, and your service. Silicon Valley is not a place to openly discuss Boy Scouts — or a whole list of other “Red State” topics. (Interestingly, Girl Scouts are not subject to the same stigma.)
Wonderful article! Both my boys are scouts; my eldest just completed his Eagle. I’m in So Cal. and the attitude towards scouting is similar to what you experience in No. Cal. My boys just ignore the negativity, however, and have had some of the best experiences in their lives in scouting.
Having just had boy scout troops move hundreds of boxes of books for our library for our used book sale, I say “God Bless the Boy Scouts” and sing their praises every time I can. These kids and their scoutmasters had just come back from a 3-day working campout and, in 85-degree weather, helped pack up a couple hundred boxes of books and carry them down 2 flights of stairs without a complaint! For this they were “paid” a root beer float! What a great organization and a great bunch of boys.
My brother and I are both Eagle Scouts, my Dad was our Scoutmaster, Mom kept books for the local council – Dad still volunteers as a camp inspector. A very touching article and a nice reminder. Thanks.
I’ve been in Scouts as a youth and leader for sixty-five years and have been able to pin Eagle badges on 12 of the young men, including my son who works on the Milstar satelite project at Northrup-Gramman.
I got to Life Scout with a great troop at the Methodist Church in Worcester, Massachusetts and thank God dailoy for my Scoutmaster, Jack Jackson and Troop 8 guys get together for a reunion every other year and are raising money for camperships for current scouts in Jack Jackson’s honor.
I ewas able to attend a National Jamboree and the World Jamboree in the Netherlands on Staff as a Chaplain and they were great interbnation Scouting experiences.
Great article.
A friend of mine forwarded me the link to this article, for which I thanked him profusely. An Eagle Scout myself 40 years next month (the old Stanford Area Council), also a former Scoutmaster and a father of an Eagle Scout, I have often told scouts during our Scoutmaster conferences when they were up for a rank advancement that I consider my achieving the Eagle rank one of the top three achievements of my life. I cannot think of any other organizations for youth where they can learn about taking care of themselves (camping skills) and others ( first aid, emergency preparedness, etc.) and get exposed to over 120 different career, hobby, or other interests (the merit badge program), many of which have led to careers or lifelong hobbies for scout alumni, all in an environment where the well being and safety of our youth are foremost. I am greatly disappointed, but not surprised, to learn no senior Executive Branch officials attended the parade.
I am a First-Class Girl Scout, the paler equivalent of Eagle Scout. I worked hard to get it, and had to be voted on by my peers as well.
But it’s forgotten, just a patch on my sash. We have no tradition like this. Good for you Eagles!
I am an Eagle (class of ’85) and spent 6 summers working on staff at a BSA camp. Most of the really great memories of my boyhood happened during those summers.
The boy scouts is the best youth program I’ve ever been in contact with, and its detractors are doing a huge disservice to boys, the country, and even themselves. As a scout I did more public service type projects than most people do in their lives. I truly don’t understand why some people want to REDUCE the number of projects like that.
I am a Life Scout. My son is an Eagle Scout. My two daughters have made their TREKs at Philmont (that’s another story). My older daughter lives and works in D.C., just off the Mall, and texted me, “Dad! The Boy Scouts are coming! The Boy Scouts are coming!!” I was moved (nearly) to tears to read Mr. Malone’s account of the parade of Eagles.
I have been an active adult scout leader concentrating on Advancement for over twenty years at the Unit, District and Council level. I have particpated in or supervised over 1000 Eagle Scout Boards of Review. I can tell you from extensive experience and observation that Boy Scouts generally and Eagle Scouts in particular have a form of character not commonly found in other young people – it isn’t impossible to find, just not common. They are young men of trust, duty and stewardship and I am amazed every day by their internal strength.
Moving as Mr. Malone’s story is, it isn’t the whole story – one has to be involved in Scouting to know the whole story. Roughly 4% of Scouts earn the Eagle recognition, yet EVERY Scout is changed in some way by Scouting – so is Boy Scouting for Eagle Scouts or for the other Scouts? (it is for all of them).
Today I turned in the documents for a new BSA Venture Crew (a co-ed Scouting Program for high school students) chartered to my church, so I have come full circle.
Life Scout with 22 merit badges (horrible Eagle project & other interests did me in). Can still tie a sheetbend, paddle a canoe, swim 1 mile, administer basic first aid, cook a cobbler, sharpen knives/axes and recite the Scout’s Oath. The best lessons in life are learned early. Great article.
Many years ago, I was traveling by automobile and pickup-camper To Durango, Colorado. Four men and two vehicles, on a primative weapons deer hunt. About a hundred miles east of Amarillo, we caught up with a very long freight train. Right in the middle of the train there was a U.S. Army tank car, running between two empty flat cars. The left rear truck of the tank car had a big fire burning around the axle, a “hot box”. We had a CB radio to communicate with each other.We should do something like signal to the train crew, was our concensus. What is the signal, only I knew it, thanks to preparing for a BSA Merit Badge. We got the train crew’s attention and passed the word. Very quick response, too. The train’s speed immediately was cut in half. The train was so long, the crew could not see the hot box due to the serpentine layout of the track. They also had no CB radio. We ended up getting well ahead and stopping on the highway shoulder so that one of us could run over to the track and tell the crew the details when they passed. Our messenger met the train man,(who slowed to a crawl and dismounted from his engines) passed on our information, and got a very hearty hand shake, in thanks. Troop 62, Cherokee Place Methodist Church, Charleston, South Carolina.
Mr. Malone: EXCELLENT article. I earned the Eagle Scout rank but didn’t really appreciate the meaning of such until I had the opportunity to interview people for a job. A couple of years ago we had one applicant who went to an “average” college, had an “average” grade point average and did only a few extracurricular activities in school. He did, however, list being an Eagle Scout in his Hobbies and Interests section on his resume. After the interview I strongly recommended that we hire him – not because of his academic performance – but because we could be sure this applicant could be trusted, would work diligently and enhance an already well-performing organization. I made my case to the interview panel about what is involved to achieve Eagle. After some discussion we ended up extending him an employment offer. Then, after he worked for us for about 6 months, one of the other members of the interview panel thanked me for the recommendation as he would have declined to extend the offer. The new hire turned out to be one of the best employees we have. We now actively pursue Eagle Scouts on our recruiting efforts.
Last summer POTUS flew out of Washington to avoid having to acknowledge the presence of over a million middle class Americans marching at the TEA Party demonstration. He is afraid that the Boy Scouts may be the children of the same people. He is ashamed because his communist grandparents didn’t let him join the Boy Scouts. He might be embarrassed if they recite the Boy Scout oath because he doesn’t want to be associated with its sentiments, you know, “honor” “duty” “God” “my country”. They just aren’t his kind of people.
I work for a technology company in Portland, Oregon, and my 15 year old son has been recycling bottles and cans to save up for the 100th Anniversary Jambo happening this week at Fort A.P. Hill. As I haul away bags of recyclables from my workplace for his fundraising effort I get some funny looks and comments from co-workers most of whom are younger than me, many sporting tattoos, miscellaneous piercings, and interesting clothing and hairstyles. When I explain that my son is a Life Scout (working on Eagle) and raising funds for his National Jamboree trip many of these young tech workers confess that they were scouts as boys and have cherished memories of the experience! Things aren’t always what they seem.
Thanks for the article Mr. Malone.
I enjoyed your article. I became an Eagle in 1962 at the age of 15, and this year received my 46 year service pin in the Scouting program. A childhood Scoutmaster made a lasting impact on me and I kept up with him each year until he died 2 years ago at the age of 92 – he was still Scouting. One of my greatest joys today is sitting in on District Advancement Review Boards when a boy comes before the committee for his Eagle review – watching young boys grow into young men with the right values!
While our current President is not addressing the Scouts at the Centennial JAmboree, I was impressed to hear Defense Secretary Robert Gates, a fellow Eagle, give such an inspiring speech at the Jamboree.
I am the mother of an Eagle Scout and married to a Life Scout. I have been involved with Boy Scouting since 1982. Some of the finest men I know have gone through the Scouting Program. These men are high achievers, interested in “Making a Difference” in their world. I have seen some of them go through military careers and many currently serve their communities as volunteers, Firemen, Law Enforcement Officers, Teachers, and Scouters. It is what they believe in. Scouting has never backed down from the original values instilled in it from the beginning. “Duty to God, Duty to Country and Helping other people.” I am never surprised to hear of Eagle Scouts achieving their goals, or a former Scout doing well, it is their creed. “Do your best!” That is the Cub Scout Motto. “Be Prepared” is the Motto of the Boy Scouts. Folk who do not support this wonderful organization, do not know anything about it. If someone has a bad experience in Scouting, it is not the fault of the program, people are fallible, the program is not!
I have had the honor of serving as Scoutmaster for our local Boy Scout Troop for 14 years, pin 17 Eagle Scout Awards on Scouts in Troop 21, and served as First Assistant Scoutmaster in 1989’s National Jamboree. President George H. Bush attended that Jamboree. He was welcomed, applauded, and cheered by more than 40,000 Scouts and Scouters as he spoke to us on a hot summers’ eve.
We will not forget the experiences we enjoyed while in Scouting. Some of my best friends are Scouters. They are a group of people who think of others first, an uncommon phenomenon in this Age. I hope my fellow Americans take note of the Executive Branch of our Government, they should try to live by the Code of the Boy Scouts of America, beginning with the Oath and including the 12 Points of the Scout Law. It would be tough for them; you have to have Honor, be Trustworthy, and have a sense of Loyalty. Think America’s top leaders could rise to such lofty ideals? They have in the past, I pray they will again in our future!
The article was very touching. Thank you, Mr. Malone. I applaud all who marched in the parade! You touched the hearts of more folk than you can possibly know!
God Bless America and God Bless the Boy Scouts of America.
Okay, well, I hadn’t actually ever heard of scouting, but I have two little boys, one headed off to middle school. When does one start this sort of thing? Is it a high school thing, or an elementary, or middle school?
It sounds really amazing.
ari,
Contact your local Scouting Council to get hooked up with a unit near you. Cub Scouts start in first grade, Boy Scouts are at age 11 or start of 6th Grade. Your sons will thank you for the experience, and you are likely to find out much about yourself too.
I received my Eagle 53 years ago and it remains one of the defining events in my life. With the exception of a handful of years, I’ve been active on the troop, district and council level ever since, and it is still one of the most rewarding things I can do.
Sadly, no one in the “official” structure of national Scouting can approach the level of articulate advocacy that Mr. Malone presents here. The Scouting bureaucracy is in the hands of lawyers, careerists, political hacks and corporatists who can write big checks but shy away from any controversy. What emanates from the national office these days is more a list of “thou shalt nots” than aggressive support (moral and material) for local Scouting activities, where the rubber meets the road. Then there is the incessant quest for “relevance” (read: approval by the mainstream media, which is never going to happen). It’s disheartening to see a bunch of second- and third-tier individuals trying to improve on what was laid down by the giants: Baden-Powell, Boyce, Beard, West, Goodman et al. Those guys knew what they were doing. We need to stick to our guns, keep affirming, living and spreading traditional Scouting values, and STAND UP FOR WHAT WE BELIEVE IN. This column should be required reading for every executive at the national and regional offices and every member of the national executive board.
Cheers to all the Eagle on parade and Eagles and Scouts everywhere. Happy Anniversary!
My son will never be allowed into the scouts just as he wont be left alone with a catholic priest…until priest are allowed to marry, and the scouts allow girls!
Ariel, If you knew your faith better you would know why priests do not marry. I recommend Catechism of the Catholic faith. Or better yet visit mass more often and ask questions to the priest at your parish. Your child is truly missing a wonderful experience and you are holding him back. Are boys allowed in Girl scouts?
Are your daughters likewise barred from the Girl Scouts?
Likewise, your point about priests marrying is lost on me – celibacy is celibacy. I was not aware that the alternative to a monogamous heterosexual relationship was diddling the altar boys.
Agains, as with “Stephen,” thanks for playing, bigot!
Boy Scouts offers a program called Venturing which is co-ed and begins at age 14 (I believe). All BSA volunteers are required to complete youth protection training and an adult is never allowed to be alone with a single scout except his or her own child. Feel free to check out the training that we have to complete. It’s available on-line.
It’s called the GIRL SCOUTS, idiot. And just think about how much of an ignorant person you sound like. This is one of the worst cases of generalization I have ever seen.
As a former Life Scout and attendant to the 2001 National Jamboree, I am very happy to see this.
Make some quiet time to remember the Scout Oath from time to time.
Pre Deo et Patria.
On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and morally straight.
These simple lines can keep us focused in these difficult times.