By Jim Lane, former Cubmaster
Pack 602
|
|
When I was a child in the 1960's, like most boys my age, I became a Cub Scout. I enjoyed wearing the uniform, I enjoyed the activities, and I enjoyed belonging to an organization that stood for something. I was proud to salute our Flag during the ceremonies. I was proud of what I accomplished. I enjoyed having fun. Little did I know that I was learning morals, citizenship, respect and patriotism. I learned how to win and I learned how to lose. I learned to "Do My Best". I was proud of my belief in God.
I believe in the Boy Scouts of America and what they stand
for. I believe that being a Scout can help prepare a boy to become a man.
He learns skills that will last a lifetime. Someone once said, "You
didn't have to be an Eagle Scout to go to the Moon, but the first man on
the Moon was an Eagle Scout". Sadly, I never became an Eagle. The leadership
in the Pack I was in was not dynamic, and I dropped out due to boredom.
When my son was a baby, I decided I wanted him to be a Scout. I wanted him to learn what I learned, and more. I knew that it needed to be fun and exciting to keep him interested. I didn't leave it to others to do, I got involved myself. For five years, I was a Cub Scout Leader. I started as Tiger Cub Group Coach, spent two years as a Den Leader, and the last two as Cubmaster of Pack 602 in Carmichael, CA. I am still on the District Training Team, and twice a year I help teach interested adults how to be effective leaders.
Being a Scout Leader takes a lot of time and effort. Yet
the rewards are priceless. Like watching a boy hammer a nail for the first
time. Like watching the boy whom you thought apathetic beam with pride at
his accomplishments. Like watching that shy boy take part in a
skit and make you laugh. Like watching a boy excitedly race a Pinewood Derby
car that he made himself. Like watching the boys in your den perform their
first Flag ceremony. Like seeing tears in the eyes of parents as their son
receives his first rank badge. I received these awards, and countless more.
My son, Joseph, and two of his friends, Jared and Matthew, started as Tiger Cubs together. Other boys came and went, but these three stuck together for five years. They were Tiger Cubs, Bobcats, Wolves, Bears and Webelos together. They learned and built and had fun together. And on February 28, 1997, they received Cub Scouting's highest award, the Arrow of Light, together.
At our Pack's annual Blue and Gold Banquet, I conducted
what was to be my last ceremony as Cubmaster. With tears running unabashedly
down my face, I was blessed with the pleasure of presenting the Arrow of
Light Award to Joseph, Jared, and Matthew. I have never been more proud
than I was at that moment. I had watched these three boys become fine young
men.
I thank God for the opportunity to have been these boys' Cub Scout Leader. In honor of Joseph, Jared and Matthew, and their Scouting accomplishments, I had written a poem chronicling their years as Cub Scouts together. The emotions I felt as I read that poem aloud spread throughout the room as everyone heard, "I Was There"...
I was there.
When you first wore your orange shirt and cap, I was there.
When you proudly displayed your first Tiger Paw Prints, I was there.
I rode bikes with you, looked at airplanes with you, learned how to "stop, drop and roll" with you.
I was there when you went to your first Blue and Gold. I got a lump in my throat when you carried your little Flag. I beamed with pride when you yelled your first cheer.
I was there.
When you stood on stage, straight and tall, in your brand new blue uniform,
I was there.
Your parents put your new yellow neckerchief around your neck. When you raised your arm for the first time in that familiar salute and said, "I promise to do my best to do my duty to God and my Country..."
I shed a tear.
You received your Bobcat Badge that night. You were a Cub Scout!
And I was there.
When you received your Wolf Badge, and Bear and Webelos, too, I was there.
You earned Belt Loops, Letters and Pins. And Summertime Awards. And Recruiter Patches. And even "Litter Getter" awards. You earned them all.
And I was there.
You drew and painted and sawed and sanded and hammered and molded and glued. You sang to us and performed skits for us. You made us smile and laugh.
And I was there.
Then you got older.
You learned CPR and First Aid and Safety. You learned how to bandage and splint and immobilize, and the Heimlich, too. You learned how to save a life.
You learned about animals and nature and ecology. You collected food for those less fortunate. I cheered for you when you raced cars and boats and rockets. Sometimes you won, sometimes you lost. But always, you were a good sport, and I was proud.
Through it all, I was there.
Before I knew it, five years had passed. You learned a new Salute. You learned a new Promise and Law and Motto and Slogan.
And now, it's tonight.
You are here to receive a Cub Scout's greatest award. An award you worked hard for. An award you earned. An award you deserve.
The "Arrow of Light".
Not one person here is more proud of you than I. I love you all as my own. You have been, and always will be, "My Boys".
I want to thank you for allowing me the wonderful opportunity to be your leader, your Cubmaster, your friend.
As you leave Pack 602, you are taking a part of me with you. You are taking my hopes, my dreams, my prayers for you. You are taking my love.
I will always
Be There.
|
|
