Re: Always an Eagle/Square knots
Settummanque, the blackeagle (waltoml@WKUVX1.WKU.EDU)
Mon, 30 Jan 1995 11:56:08 CDT
(note to all: Please, please be patient with me...I've haven't read a
thing since early Friday morning until now, and I've got more than 100
personal messages to read and reply to. I'll be doing much of it
tonight and much more in the day tomorrow (my day off). My personal
apologies to those that are waiting for answers to some great
questions. Thanks!)
Bob Everson <everson@PM.ADDL.PURDUE.EDU> writes:
>
>Geez- you guys are prolific! (I thought SAFETY and the Cornell
>list were busy :-) )
Welcome....glad to see that you're enjoying the discussion and the
friendships!
>Question... It's been about 10 yrs since I wore my Scout uniform
>helping my son's troop (he's now 28). I remember that as a former
>Eagle- I was given the privilidge of wearing a particular square
>knot (red and blue?) on my uniform. Seems to me that we were
>trying to keep it a secret as to which of the adult leaders
>were (are) Eagles. The boys certainly didn't know- the boys'
>parents didn't know- only other square knot wearers knew.
The Eagle Scout square knot, Bob, is a rope composed of red, white and
blue strands. It's NOT a secret, and it has ALWAYS been appropriate
wear for volunteers AND professionals whom are holders of the Eagle
Scout Badge.
What *has* went back and forth (and presently forth) is the status of
wearing the Eagle Scout Palms on the square knot. The BSA originally
said "sure", then a few years later said "nah", and about four years
ago, said again "sure". That's the current status, and it HAS NOT
CHANGED.
Also, the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award (the gold plated Eagle pin)
can ALSO be worn in the center of the Eagle Scout square knot.
>I never understood the logic behind not allowing adult leaders
>to wear the Eagle embroided badge on their uniform.
The Eagle knot is for ADULTS to wear. Boys wear the cloth badge. In
the past, because some of us look younger than our years, adults would
be singled out to do youth tasks. Also, the award, like all
advancements in our program, is designed for the KIDS, not for us
"big-uns'". Wearing the "kids awards" is not a good sign of maturity.
That's why when youth members approach the age of 18 (sixteen in some
local Councils), youth awards are to be removed and replaced with the
approviate adult award.
I feel that there's some education that needs to be done with your
unit members. In that way, they can recognize the Eagle square knot
and immediately correlate that with those youth members wearing the
patch.
>? The boys
>would know instantly that Mr. So-and so (I never liked being
>called by my first name by a scout- tells of my upbringing
>I guess) was(is) an Eagle scout. Once you've earned it- you
>have a right to wear it. Just my opinion.
Yes, you *do* have a right to wear it. Just the version that is
appropriate for your status in the program.
The knot, the medal and the embrodered patch are *all* the SAME award.
Since there's several versions of the youth patch and only ONE of the
medal and knot, it makes more sense for adults to wear the more
"universal" of all of the symbols, leaving the kids to wearing the
more "outward" symbols, the medal and and the patch.
In the current Scoutmaster Handbook, there's a full color illustration
of all of the current square knot emblems and the awards they
represent. You can use that as part of your awareness program; better
yet, you can go to your Council Scout Shop {tm} or Service Center and
get one or two to show to the members of your Troop during a
Scoutmasters's Minute.
And always, its appropriate for you to include in Eagle presentation
kits a square knot. Some kits have them, others don't.
Hope that helps out, Bob, and again, welcome!
Settummanque!
--
Settummanque, the blackeagle... (MAJ) Mike L. Walton (
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