Don't normally write to this list but have been reading for several years.
Got the attached note and thought it would be thoughtful during this holiday
season.
Yours in scouting,
Terry Vogelsong
Philmont 73, 97, 99, 02; Northern Tier 01, Seabase 00, Maine 74
Hello Friends . . . I’m going to add a short prologue to this story, and hope
it doesn’t steal any of the thunder from this touching story. I too am an
Eagle Scout and was a Soldier/NCO in the U.S. Army during Desert Storm. It is
truly amazing to work with young men at all levels when the call to duty
confronts them. All these young men and women, have made a commitment to
voluntarily serving our Nation without regard to their own personal safety. They travel
thousands of miles, live in a hostile environment, and work diligently to
defend and protect the Constitution of this great place we call America. It’s
coincidental that the media, specifically Time, has named the ‘American Soldier’
as it’s person of the year . . . and further amazing that it’s the small
personal one on one stories and interactions that have so much more meaning to
change and chart our history in these times of war and strife. Enjoy this
story, pass it along to your friends and realize that it’s our conduct and
interaction each and every day that can have a life changing impact on all of those
whom we touch. My prayers go out to every Soldier, Scout and Family member who
has a loved one involved in defending this countries freedom. My all of our
prayers reach out to them, and grant them a speedy, safe return.
Special Scouting Story
Greetings to my Scouting family and friends,
I had a disturbing and yet gratifying moment this past Monday while I was in
my office at Toledo, Ohio. What is interesting was that I was just talking to
Roger Frese at Camp Berry the day before (Sunday) about what I had to do and
the difficulty it had been. Little did I realize that I would be facing an even
tougher assignment the next day.
For those who didn't know, I have been sending out soldiers both young and
old to Iraq, Afghanistan and other "fine places" around the world as we are
being called up to replace those already over there. I too am susceptible for this
duty and will get there sooner than I wish to. But when called upon...you
know what my decision will be. Anyway, after about 3 weeks of doing this and
having to deal with mad parents, spouses and the usual plethora of complaints
(why me? why now why are we....?) I came across this newly assigned soldier in my
unit who's number had come up just last Saturday. This young man who just
turned 18 had recently returned from his AIT or advanced individual training
which teaches him the job skills he needs in the Army. He had graduated just last
spring from high school in Fostoria. Suffice to say, he was both eager and
apprehensive with his impending deployment. While I was answering his questions
and giving him suggestions on how to survive in a desert and even a combat
zone, my phone rang and I had to take the call.
While I was on the phone, this young soldier was admiring my photographs on
the wall in my office with a look of amazement. After I hung up the phone, he
exclaimed with excitement in his voice, "Hey, that's Brian Joseph up there!" as
he pointed to his Eagle Scout ceremony picture. And you are his father, the
Scoutmaster! I was taken aback for a moment. Why yes I said, I am. And just
who are you? His eyes dropped down and for a brief moment, I could detect the
sadness in his heart. Well, he said, I USED to be the Lodge Chief for
Tinduchen here in Toledo up until last weekend. But I had to resign my position that
I was newly elected to. He held his chin back up and went on to tell me how
he and Brian had attended National Leadership Seminar last spring at Miaconda
together and they had become good friends. He told me how Brian was very proud
of his troop, his chapter and his lodge. And he went on to say how Brian
spoke highly of
his father who was his Scoutmaster all these years, his Chapter Advisor and
his best friend too.
Then this soft spoken young man went on to say that he was not afraid or
concerned any longer about what he was going to face in less than 24 hours. It was
then that I got concerned. Perhaps he wasn't clear on his thinking or what he
was about to enter into by going overseas. He continued to say that because
of his training that brought him up to be an Eagle Scout, he felt he could
handle any challenge that this life would throw at him. Little did he realize that
he was about to face his hardest challenge yet.
He also noted that he was glad to be in a unit with a First Sergeant who was
this mentor for his friend Brian. Why do you say that I asked him? Because,
he said, I know that whatever you tell me here today, it is the truth and it is
right. I know what you stand for and believe in. I also know just from
talking to you that you do care about your soldiers the same way you care about your
scouts. That tells me what kind of leader you are. ( I don't get too many
compliments on being a tough old fart who gives orders and expects them done at
warp speed!)
All this from an 18 year old young man who I have known less than 45
minutes...
By now you can imagine how I felt as I helped him pack, get sized up for his
bullet proof vest that I was outfitting him with and other details that had to
be attended to. I tried to stay focused on the matter at hand but in the back
of my mind, I couldn't help but think to myself...this could be MY son! It
only took me a moment or two to get over this apprehension and fear that I held
privately. For it clearly rang home to me just what this young man was all
about.
He chose to raise his right hand earlier this year when the opportunity
presented itself. He took an oath to uphold and defend the constitution to the
country and flag that he loved. He made a commitment to something that most adults
could never understand or comprehend. That commitment can be simply stated as
Cheerful Service to Mankind and without reservation. He asked for nothing
special and expected nothing in return.
As he was preparing to leave after gathering all the advice I could give him
in what time we had, a quiet came over the room. We said nothing but just
looked at each other for what seemed an eternity. Then I extended my left hand and
clasped his with a special bond that can only be felt between brothers. I
said to him "Be safe and do your job well." He replied, "I will do my best...it
is only right!"
Eagle Scout/Private Andrew Elford stepped back and rendered a salute that was
forged from granite. He had a gleen in his eye that was not wild or wayward
but rather, a look of determination and fortitude. This man had grown up in the
blink of an eye and was about to take on life like thousands before him have
done. The sacrifices he has already made by standing down from his position as
Lodge Chief were more than anyone could ask for. Yet, he did so knowing that
he had a greater calling and it was his turn to step up. He did so without
hesitation.
As I drove home late on Monday night, my thoughts wandered to a picture I
know still hangs in the dining hall at Camp Lakota. I remember looking at this
old black and white picture of an Eagle Scout who went to a place called Viet
Nam and was unfortunately killed when his helicopter went down. I often asked
myself for years afterwards...was it necessary? That answer has come to me now
as I look back on the day's events from Monday. That is the price American's
have paid to live free. It must be so. I can't predict the future nor do I
even want to speculate. But I do know one thing. I know that this Eagle Scout
and soldier who I have just sent off to war is not just prepared. He will do his
job and do it well because his heart is in the right place. That place is in
the service to others and devotion to duty he possesses. I plan to see him
again one day and when I do, it will be my honor to let him know that he is the
one who I most look up to with respect. For it is he who has proven to me the
needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few...or the one.
Until this business of war has come to an end and the terror in our land has
ceased, please keep a place in your heart and prayers for Private Elford and
the thousands of others who are out there still, defending our freedom. They
need us now more than ever.
This is not just another story folks that gets passed along over the internet
like so many "jokes and things". It is life as I see it every day now. It is
the business of serving our nation as a citizen/soldier that comes with a
price. It is also the reality that many young people today are having to deal
with. I hope this may have touched your heart as it has mine. If so, then please
share this with someone you know who understands what being a Scout or Scou
ter is all about. And if not, then that is ok too.
Yours in Scouting always!
Paul Joseph
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As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
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Received on Tue Dec 23 16:55:59 2003
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