[philmont] Please Stop

Thanks Bob and Jim. Don't condemn, teach.
 
As Abraham Lincoln said, "We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
 
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. "
 
Truly, no memorial can add, nor the antics of teenage boys cannot detract, from those who have consecrated Trail Peak by giving their lives serving our country that our scouts and our families may live in a free land. The laughter of a those scouts doing the "thoughtless act" at the site cannot detract. And through Scouting, we are able to teach those teenage boys, who will continue to better serve our country as informed citizens, and many as future members of our armed forces. And maybe they will learn to feel regret, which means they have learned true patriotism and honor for those who have served.
 
Lets hope that for all they do, those who visit Trail Peak take the time to read the memorial and reflect not only on the lives lost at the time of the crash but also all the lives given in the service of our country. A teaching moment... in the wilderness.
 
-mike-
 
> To: philmont@troop47.com> Subject: [philmont] Please Stop> Date: Mon, 11 Feb 2008 20:30:25 -0700> From: bsa.rec.law@gmail.com> > 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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Received on Mon Feb 11 22:43:56 2008