MSPP #40: God Bless The USA

We are now half way through the month of June. Summer is nearly one third gone. Families are going on vacations. Cities are having their summer celebrations. And Independence Day will soon be here! What a better way to honor the summer's biggest holiday then to post a video of the Boy Scout Troop honoring our veterans who have served our country.

The 2002 Laughs For Lunch Show was held four months after the tragedy of 9/11. Patriotism was high in this country as we pulled together to pay our respects to those who died, and to those who became heroes. The Boy Scouts of Troop 68 wanted to end this show by doing something special to honor those local men and women who have served, and are serving, in our armed forces.

A few phone calls were made to the VFW Post (the troop's sponsor) and the American Legion. We were able to borrow ten flags from the VFW for the song. Two alumni of Troop 68 had recently joined the Minnesota National Guard and agreed to participate. Several members of VFW Post 7050 also agreed to participate. We were set.

Unfortunately, we did not have time to practice with everyone before the show, so I was "directing" everyone from behind the stage. The timing may not have been quite perfect, but it did have the effect that we were looking for. It turned out to be a nice way for the troop to close the show and pay our respects to those who serve this country.

Watch this video post of Melrose Scouting Productions, and then leave a comment if your troop has done anything similar to this. Let's share our ideas on how our troops and packs show their appreciation.
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BSA Aims and Methods

Sometimes I think that we as Scouting leaders need to be reminded about the goals and aims of the Boy Scouts of America. I know I do once in a while. I found the following on the BSA website and thought it might be a good idea for us all to read it and remind ourselves why the Scouting program is such a great program.

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Aims and Methods of the Scouting Program

The Scouting program has three specific objectives, commonly referred to as the "Aims of Scouting." They are character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness. The methods by which the aims are achieved are listed below in random order to emphasize the equal importance of each.

Ideals. The ideals of Boy Scouting are spelled out in the Scout Oath, the Scout Law, the Scout motto, and the Scout slogan. The Boy Scout measures himself against these ideals and continually tries to improve. The goals are high, and as he reaches for them, he has some control over what and who he becomes.

Patrols. The patrol method gives Boy Scouts an experience in group living and participating citizenship. It places responsibility on young shoulders and teaches boys how to accept it. The patrol method allows Scouts to interact in small groups where members can easily relate to each other. These small groups determine troop activities through elected representatives.

Outdoor Programs. Boy Scouting is designed to take place outdoors. It is in the outdoor setting that Scouts share responsibilities and learn to live with one another. In the outdoors the skills and activities practiced at troop meetings come alive with purpose. Being close to nature helps Boy Scouts gain an appreciation for the beauty of the world around us. The outdoors is the laboratory in which Boy Scouts learn ecology and practice conservation of nature's resources.

Advancement. Boy Scouting provides a series of surmountable obstacles and steps in overcoming them through the advancement method. The Boy Scout plans his advancement and progresses at his own pace as he meets each challenge. The Boy Scout is rewarded for each achievement, which helps him gain self-confidence. The steps in the advancement system help a Boy Scout grow in self-reliance and in the ability to help others.

Associations With Adults. Boys learn a great deal by watching how adults conduct themselves. Scout leaders can be positive role models for the members of the troop. In many cases a Scoutmaster who is willing to listen to boys, encourage them, and take a sincere interest in them can make a profound difference in their lives.

Personal Growth. As Boy Scouts plan their activities and progress toward their goals, they experience personal growth. The Good Turn concept is a major part of the personal growth method of Boy Scouting. Boys grow as they participate in community service projects and do Good Turns for others. Probably no device is as successful in developing a basis for personal growth as the daily Good Turn. The religious emblems program also is a large part of the personal growth method. Frequent personal conferences with his Scoutmaster help each Boy Scout to determine his growth toward Scouting's aims.

Leadership Development. The Boy Scout program encourages boys to learn and practice leadership skills. Every Boy Scout has the opportunity to participate in both shared and total leadership situations. Understanding the concepts of leadership helps a boy accept the leadership role of others and guides him toward the citizenship aim of Scouting.

Uniform. The uniform makes the Boy Scout troop visible as a force for good and creates a positive youth image in the community. Boy Scouting is an action program, and wearing the uniform is an action that shows each Boy Scout's commitment to the aims and purposes of Scouting. The uniform gives the Boy Scout identity in a world brotherhood of youth who believe in the same ideals. The uniform is practical attire for Boy Scout activities and provides a way for Boy Scouts to wear the badges that show what they have accomplished.

Gerald Ford, "On My Honor"

I used to have a copy of a video that I think was called "On My Honor". It was a BSA promotional video which featured narration by former President Gerald Ford. It was several minutes long, and a very well done film. It was one of my favorite BSA videos. Unfortunately, somehow, somewhere, part of my copy was taped over. I tried calling my local council to see if they still had a copy of it. Unfortunately, they did not. I was a little upset when I discovered it was lost to me.

So, I went to the internet to see if I could discover a copy of it somewhere. So far, I have not had any luck. If any of you who read this blog have a copy, I would be willing to trade a dvd of 15 various BSA promotional films and commercials for it. Contact me through this web site.

As I was searching the internet, I discovered a site that had a speech given by President Gerald Ford in 1974 when he received the Scouter of the Year Award honoring him for being the first Eagle Scout to become the president of the United States. It is a great speech and I thought you might like to read it also, if you have not already read it. Just follow this link:
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=4601

I sometimes wonder what the "Great Master of All Scouts" had to say when this Eagle Scout President arrived at the Pearly Gates. I bet both of them had an ear to ear grin when they met!