I had never attended an Eagle Court of Honor, having failed Webelos myself and fallen short of Tenderfoot. So I was honored to be invited to a presentation at the Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences on Sunday afternoon.
Two exemplary young men, Will Cory and Evan Vomund, were the recipients of scouting’s highest honor. When they spoke I listened, intently:
A scout is trustworthy. A scout tells the truth. He is honest, and he keeps his promises. People can depend on him.
A scout is loyal. A scout is loyal to those to whom loyalty is due.
A scout is helpful. A scout cares about other people. He helps others without expecting payment or reward. He fulfills his duties to his family by helping at home.
A scout is friendly. A scout is a friend to all. He is a brother to other scouts. He offers his friendship to people of all races, religions and nations. He respects them even if their beliefs and customs are different from his own.
A scout is courteous. A scout is polite to people of all ages and positions. He understands that using good manners makes it easier for people to get along.
A scout is kind. A scout treats others as he wants to be treated. He knows there is strength in being gentle. He will not kill nor hurt any living creature needlessly, but will strive to save and protect all harmless life.
A scout is obedient. A scout follows the rules of his family, school and troop. He obeys the laws of his community and country. If he thinks these rules and laws are unfair, he seeks to have them changed in an orderly way.
A scout is cheerful. A scout looks for the bright side of life. He cheerfully does tasks that come his way and tries his best to make others happy, too.
A scout is thrifty. A scout works to pay his way and to help others. He saves for the future. He protects and conserves natural resources. He is careful in his use of time and property.
A scout is brave. A scout faces danger even if he is afraid.
A scout is clean. A scout keeps his body and mind fit. He chooses friends who also live by high standards. He avoids profanity and pornography. He helps keep his home and community clean.
A scout is reverent. A scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.
He respects the beliefs of others. Therein lies the most difficult of all the tenets. Therein lies the key to global governance and world peace. These two sterling young men have embraced the attitude to respect the beliefs of others. Can they convince others to do the same? That is the question. I believe they can. We’ll see.
I predict William will follow Eagle Scout Steven Spielberg as America’s foremost movie producer, and Evan will follow Eagle Scout Neil Armstrong and become the first man to set foot on the planet Mars. I have every faith in these two young Eagle Scouts.
Learn more about McAvoy Layne at www.ghostoftwain.com.