Re: 2 Deep: Begin and End
Jesse E. Cross, III (JCROSS@BEOWULF.MHSL.UAB.EDU)
Thu, 31 Mar 1994 14:39:21 CST
On Thursday, Settummanque, the blackeagle...(MAJ) Mike L. Walton,
wrote:
> In doing so, I would like to ask the list the following question:
> In the course of a Troop meeting, a police officer comes by the Troop
... stuff deleted for brevity...
> The BSA does not have any training dealing with grief or anger or
> any other emotional situations; several local Councils do have
> successful programs (not this one!) Should the BSA invest time and
> money in training our adults in those aspects? Should the volunteers
> in a District work with local agencies to provide that kind of training
> to its volunteers?
*** ABSOLUTELY *** See comments below.
> And finally, should the Troop members (youth and adult) attend the
> funeral of the parents? Craig (the person I am asking for) has
> already sent flowers and a nice card to the kid's grandparents on
> behalf of the Troop. Should the Troop be exposed to death?
*** ABSOLUTELY *** Lets not forget we're dealing with children who
are growing into adults. Death and it's consequences, especially
grief, are natural parts of life, albeit very unpleasant and scary
parts. The whole purpose of scouting is to help these children grow
into stable well grounded adults. The ability to go through the
grieving process and deal with a death is a very basic skill that
everyone needs to have. Especially at the death of a parent when the
other parent may be too grief stricken him/herself to help the child
through this process the child will turn to someone he trusts; maybe
an aunt or uncle or grandparent, or *maybe* a scoutmaster.
The loss should be recognized and sympathized with by you and by the
troop. Attending the funeral in or out of uniform should be the
individual decision of each boy and his parents. I can only
speak for myself, I will be attending the funeral so that I can show
by my physical presence that I (1) recognize the severity of the loss
this boy has suffered, (2) sympathize with the emotional storm the
boy is going through, and (3) pay my last respects to someone whom I
probably have met and come to know.
One final thought, such an event can effect the whole troop. Most
assuredly it will affect more than just the son of the deceased
parent. The boys friends will be affected also.
This is a crisis situation. Our (i.e. adult scouters) ability to
handle the situation and help our scouts handle the situation is
where the chisel meets the stone.
/s/ Jesse E. Cross, III
Bitnet: slb2007@uabdpo
Internet (Primary): jcross@beowulf.mhsl.uab.edu
Internet (Secondary): slb2007@uabdpo.dpo.uab.edu
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