A Sad Night
John Pannell (PANNELLJ@DELPHI.COM)
Thu, 15 Dec 1994 19:09:12 -0500
Last Monday our Troop held family night and had a Court of Honor to
recognize badges and rank earned since Summer Camp. Something very sad
happened.
The Scoutmaster presented the badges and ranks and then started to make a
very special presentation. He called forth his son (Chad) and told the
troop
and parents that this would be his last troop meeting since he would shortly
turn 18.
He then presented Chad an 8 year service star in recognition of his time as
a Boy Scout. The audience was told how rare an occassion this is, to have a
Scout remain active until turning 18 (at least here it's unusual). The
service star was the same one presented to the Scoutmaster himself, many
years ago (presumably for 8 years in Scouting, not 8 as a Boy Scout since in
his Dad's day you would have had to have been at least 11 to be a Boy
Scout).
Our SM's voice cracked as he described his sons achievements. Among others
he had been to Philmont, did various historical trails, and was (is) active
in an Explorer post.
That wasn't the sad part.
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.
YiS,
John E. Pannell
ASM Troop 39 -- Old North State Council
Alamance Chapter Adviser -- Tsoiotsi Tsogalii 70
Eagle Class of '81
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
