A Very Special Eagle Poem

I wanted to share this poem with everyone on Scouts-L. It probably
means more to me because I know the story behind it, but maybe you'll
get something from it as well. The guy who wrote it is in my troop.
When he joined the troop no one really liked him too much. He was real
hateful to everyone. We all tried our best to be nice to him, and
eventually he became a pleasure to be around. About a year and a half
ago, Johnathan was diagnosed with brain cancer. We really didn't expect
him to be around much longer. Anyway, they took the tumor out and
Johnathan was still in pretty rough shape for a while. He couldn't walk,
but then he got so he could walk on a cane. Now he is off the cane, but
he still has difficulty walking. As the poem implies, he got his Eagle a
couple of months ago. He comes to every troop meeting and outing, as
well as all the OA events. Matter of fact, he is working on camp staff
this summer. The first time I read this poem, I cried, because it's
amazing to me on how far he has come. I hope it does something for you
too.

Ben Pharr
Chicksa #202 Lodge Chief
Section SR-8A Vice-Chief

------------------------------------------

Chasing An Eagle


I have chased an Eagle for ten years;
And in this time; I have fought to keep myself in gear.

I have chased an Eagle for ten years;
And in this time; I have fought with my peers:
Drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and fears.

I have chased an Eagle for ten years:
And in this time; I have received many awards,
Merit badges, and ranks, just as my peers.

I have chased an Eagle for ten years;
At times the would seem to disappear,
And I would sit down just wanting to give up;
And then the Eagle would suddenly reappear!
I chased that Eagle until the day I captured it;
When I received the Eagle I said;
Eagle, Eagle, I now know why you
You were so hard to capture;
Because nothing comes "free" in life.

That Eagle that I chased now has two places to stay:
One is on the left pocket of my scout uniform;
The second is in my heart right next
door
To the "MAN" that died for me,
And helped me along the way.
Then the Eagle that I chased, said to me,
"The reason I was so hard for you to capture,
Is because deep down inside of you,
You wanted to do the work to earn me with "HONOR";
The Eagle you have in you did not get there
when
The Eagle rank was signed on paper;
For I have always been there.


Written by
JOHNATHAN ALEX PARDUE
February 17, 1998
Started Tiger Cubs in the fall of 1987
Earned Eagle Scout rank November 24, 1998

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