[philmont] Please Stop

Etch that line in every ounce of Scouting you have.

Don't condemn, teach!

Thanks

Jim Moss

-----Original Message-----
From: philmont@troop47.com [mailto:philmont@troop47.com] On Behalf Of Dr.
Bob Klein
Sent: Monday, February 11, 2008 8:21 PM
To: philmont List Member
Subject: [philmont] Please Stop

If I may be allowed to offer a semi-contrarian point of view. There is
a difference between bad behavior and thoughtless behavior. It's a
matter of knowledge and intent. It's my guess that very few of the
Scouts who have been involved in this particular act would have done
what they did, had either they or their Advisors put about 10 seconds
thought into it. And that if they did think about it, years later and
with some perspective, I'd bet most would have (at least) a twinge of
regret, and probably a lot more than just a twinge. But let's please
remember, stupidity is rarely malicious.

I remember some years back I was attending the funeral of a Scouter (a
full Colonel in his day) at Arlington. I was in full Scout uniform, of
course. An attendee was increasingly incensed at the antics of a host
of nearby young children, laughing and playing amongst the headstones of
many generations of heroes. When I saw he was about to act, I walked
over a couple of steps to stand in front of him and stated very slowly
and forcefully: "Sir, there is no sweeter music ever heard by the souls
of the men in this hallowed ground than the sound of American children
chattering - in English - in a free land. Stand down." And he blinked,
and did. Later, he looked over at me and smiled.

To this day I cannot explain where that line came from - it came out of
me without prep or practice. Maybe I had some support I wasn't expecting.

Anyway, I would like to think that the souls of those who repose on
Trail Peak would also react with smiles, not anger, at the silly antics
of the boys that they were once themselves. They're not malicious,
they're just teenagers, with much to learn. If those souls could speak
from beyond the grave, I think they'd say: "Live the lives we helped
earn for you. Don't forget us."

Don't condemn, teach!

- Dr. Bob

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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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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.
-------------------------------------------------------

 
Received on Mon Feb 11 21:34:27 2008