From: David W. Lyons (davelyons@comcast.net)
Date: Thu Aug 22 2002 - 05:42:20 CDT
Here's another belt story -
I missed Philmont a a youth. I was not afraid to go on Scout stuff - I made
Eagle. I attended the 1964 Jambo and NJLITC at Schiff. I was one of the
Scouts who didn't sign up because of fear of the hiking. But I loved the
belt and arrowhead and always was envious. When I became a leader and found
out about the training center I arranged to attend a session as soon as I
could.
It was 1990 and My son was a first year Webelos scout at the time. As soon
as we got there, I bought myself a belt and went to get my son one. He said
no he didn't want it. This was very emotional for me. I couldn't believe a
Scout would not want a Philmont belt. I tried the whole week we were there
to convince him but he kept saying no. I was upset. Time came and we went
home.
In 1994 I attended another training session. This time the whole family
came. To avoid getting emotional, I did not ask again about a belt. And
although he got other stuff, he did not ask about a belt.
In 1997 I did a trek with him and Scouts from his Troop. When we came off
the trail, he said, without prompting, "Now I want a belt. And would it be
all right if I get the more expensive buckle (which was the traditional
Tooth of Time buckle)?" I think I made him run over to the trading post so
he couldn't change his mind. I was so excited that he finally wanted the
belt.
In 2002 I did a trek with my daughter. My daughter who has very definite
tastes in clothes and is almost impossible to buy things for. My daughter
who is very opinionated and never hesitates to speak up. My daughter who
(like her mother) I don't think has ever worn a belt in her life. My
daughter who while on the trail teased all the boys on the crew for running
out and buying belts as soon as we got to Philmont, saying "I don't
understand. It must be a guy thing to walk around showing off your belt."
My daughter who when we were in the Trading Post after the trek and I
jokingly put a belt around her said expecting to hear one of the put downs
used on the trail about its a guy thing said , "You know, that would make a
good Christmas present." Guess what I bought when I went back to the
trading Post alone and is in my closet along with a Tooth buckle?
My daughter who on the flight home said, she probably will need a Philmont
next year when she works staff!! She filled out the postcard to get an
application as soon as we got home and completed most of the application as
soon as it arrived. She is just waiting for school to pen so to learn her
graduation date to fill in the box for earliest availability date.
Dave Lyons
1997, 2000, 2002
PTC - 1990, 1994, 1999, 2001(twice!!)
I used to be a Bob White and a staffer
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