Re: A Sad Night
Bob Haar (rhaar@ALBERT.CS.GMR.COM)
Fri, 16 Dec 1994 13:37:56 EST
>From: John Pannell <PANNELLJ@DELPHI.COM>
> What was sad was that as I watched this whole scene, the young man was there
> in his well-bedecked uniform and on his right pocket was a Life Scout patch.
> In spite of prodding from his friends, family and leaders he never made
> Eagle.
>
> As one who barely got in under the wire with my Eagle (I had already turned
> 18 by the time of my Court of Honor), _that_ was sad.
John,
I don't see this as the tragedy that it appears you do.
IMO, rank advancement is not the most important part of scouting - it
isn't even near the top.
The only justification for a scout to put in the effort to become
an Eagle is because HE wants it. Most times, when a scout stays in
all through high school and doesn't make Eagle, it is because the
desire isn't there or isn't strong enough. Maybe he chose to
not finish as a reaction to all the "prodding from his friends,
family and leaders."
I have seen too many boys get there Eagle because their parents
or scoutmasters are pushing them, and then effectively drop out of
Scouting. I would much rather have a young man who stays with
scouting, learns, develop and has fun along the way, contributes
his leadership and experience to the troop, even if he never
advances.
Now if this young man had really wanted to become an Eagle and
he was prevent from doing so, then it would be sad.
Bob Haar (email: rhaar@gmr.com )
Chartered Organization Representative, Troop and Pack 188
BSA, Clinton Valley Council, Pontiac, Michigan, USA.
Chippewa Lodge #29, WWW
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
