Eagle Scouts
Yesterday was a special day for our family. My youngest son, Noah, was recognized in a Court of Honor for achieving the highest rank in Scouting, Eagle Scout. Noah now shares the same title held by his two older brothers and me. I must admit that I am a very proud father. As Eagle Scouts, we are expected to live according to a certain code of conduct. It is never said that a man was an Eagle Scout – he is an Eagle Scout throughout his life.
Scouting is all about training leaders. Lord Baden Powell began the Scouting movement in England in 1908. His purposes were to instill principles of self-reliance and a sense of service into young men. Scouting spread rapidly and was in the United States by 1910. Congress granted a charter to the Boy Scouts of America in 1916.
The skills gained in Scouting truly prepare men for life. As a Scout progresses through the ranks from Tenderfoot, to Second Class, to First Class, to Star, to Life, and then finally to Eagle, he gains valuable experiences and skills along the way. There are certain merit badges that a Scout must have for Eagle, such as First Aid, Citizenship in the Nation, Personal Management, etc.; however, there are also a number of electives. Some Scouts find their career or life calling in this manner. Scouting also provides exciting wilderness challenges that test and shape men. My sons frequently went on trips that tested them physically and mentally. This prepared them for life. I sent the following email to the troop families the day after a grueling, cold weather backpacking trip with single digit temperatures several years ago:
“I imagine that there are some sore and tired younger and older men this morning. I certainly am. I echo the thoughts of everyone else in complimenting David Brasher on planning an excellent trip. Everyone might not have thought so at the time, but this trip will end up being a life long positive memory in your Scouting experience. You will soon remember less of the misery and remember more of the joy. While I heard a number of Scouts say during the misery parts that this would be their last January backpacking trip, I'll bet you will be ready to go again soon. The truth is that men don't sit around reminiscing about easy strolls in the park. What they sit around and talk about is the times they felt like they were going to die together, but they held on and overcame together. We all learn more about ourselves, how great our God is, and gain skills we will have the rest of our lives when we take trips like these. The best trips we can take are mixed with misery, joy, and reasonable risk and that is exactly what this trip provided us all. I know that people often speak of the character building aspects of team sports—win or lose, everyone gets to go home after the game to a warm meal and a warm bed. In comparison, no one is on the bench on a wilderness trip like ours. Everyone is suffering individually and as a group. The stakes are not losing a game, but the possibility of losing a whole lot more! Like team sports there are opportunities to show leadership and learn to serve others - I saw people offering food and water to keep everyone hydrated and energized. I saw the group slow down and stop whenever someone needed a break. I saw people sharing equipment and watching out for one another. Trips like these are both an individual and a team effort. Should we keep taking trips like these? Absolutely! Trips like these teach everyone endurance, survival skills and teamwork. My bet is that you all will be ready to do it all again very soon.”
Scouting has been a big part of our family for a very long time and it is sort of sad that I no longer have any sons under the age of 18 (because I love to go on wilderness adventure trips too!) We have been a part of Troop 96 for about 16 years and everyone affiliated with the troop are like family.
While Scouting has changed in recent years, my sons received the same classical Scouting experience that I enjoyed as a boy. We earned merit badges. We explored the Lord’s incredible creation. We were taught by exceptional men along the narrow path of life. The Eagle Rank that I share with my three sons is essentially the same and demanded the same standards of performance.
When a young boy joins the Scouts, adults must watch over them closely on challenging wilderness trips; however, by the time they are Eagle Scouts, you are able to trust your life to them. My wife and I had the privilege to backpack in the New Zealand winter earlier this year. We did not plan any of the routes. We did not even carry our own map. Our sons led us and planed every detail. They were in the lead. It was neat to watch them perform with confidence.
I do not have adequate words to express how thankful my wife and I are for the impact that Scouting and Scout leaders have made on my family. The adult leadership of my son’s Scout troop has been amazing and their legacy will live on in the lives of the young men they have shaped.
At the end of Noah’s Court of Honor yesterday, I gave him the following challenge:
“Noah, these men have invested a lot in you. You have been blessed. They expect you to live a life of leadership that reflects well on the Eagle Scout rank and honors them in light of what they have done for you. May you do that along the narrow path in a way that honors them to the glory of the Lord our God.”
There will be times when an Eagle Scout must stand alone in life. Many years ago, Eagle Scout Ross Perot came to Birmingham as the speaker for the annual Eagle Scout Banquet. Perot told everyone, “You will never find eagles in flocks.”
Photo of Noah Smith by Mr. Joe Strickland
Photo of Daniel Smith by General Everett Holle