I recently read the book Legacy of Honor by Alvin Townley, it is something of a history and biography of Eagle Scouts throughout the USA and their influence and success. He points out that there is a stereotype that goes with Eagle Scouts and their abilities and personalities. Some of that perception is very positive while other parts are much more negative.
We have all heard the phrase "He is such a Boy Scout" bandied about, and cast at men that are perceived as too good or obedient. Some see this phrase as an insult while I think of it as exactly the opposite. In fact yesterday I was told I was slyshkom poslushniy (too obedient) at work. I wonder where this attitude that one must disobey to be acceptable has come from. What happened to the day where a person was honored and respected for doing what is right?
In answer to my own question I submit that those days are not entirely gone, but that popular media and culture have so criminalized doing what is right and glorified rebellion and disobedience that the perception especially in young adults is very skewed.
I was inspired by Townley's book to make a greater effort to return to the attitudes and ideals that lead to me earning Eagle just after my 14th birthday. At that point I was so focused on hitting goals and achieving what I saw to be important no matter the cost, and yes life was much simpler at 13 than at nearly 30, that I was neither dissuaded nor discouraged.
The other quality that Legacy of Honor reminded me of was the selfless desire to benefit others and give to a cause greater than ones-self. At 13 years old I organized a drive to assemble supplies for mothers and their children who had fled to the local shelter for battered women. For some reason that cause touched my 13 year old heart and I wanted to do something to help. Because of the nature of the situation I was never in direct contact with those who benefited from the project, but to this day it still warms my heart to think of the joy and thanks expressed by the shelter's director when she received the donation. Not only that, I smile when I think of the outpouring of resources and service by people in my small town when they heard about the project. It was truly amazing.
Thank you Mr. Townley, I appreciate you sharing your journey through the nation and through your heart as you chronicled the stories of these many Eagle Scouts. It was a great reminder of who I was and who I am trying to become. Thank you also to all of my scout leaders and my parents who gave me such positive direction from such a young age. Thank you all.
