35 years ago.
Where did that time go? And I look back, and no doubt so many others do as well, when they see the coup, and say, how was it possible for me/him to do it? I wonder myself, but make no mistake, I. Did. It. Did what you ask?
With tomahawk in one hand, and torch in the other, I ran down a hill, fondly known as Cardiac, ran around a circle I think 11 times but it may have been much less. You know how the memory is, besides, it was a much smaller circle, trust me, tapping out a group of boys, and adults, and then out of breath, crawling back up the hill.using the torch as a lever to help me get up. Adrenalin only carries one so far, and I had ran out probably a lap or two previous. It was a never to be forgotten experience, and I joined an elite group that I am humbled to be a part of. Why?
Until 2018 I had not served on the Camp Geiger Staff. Strictly Camper Coup. I was 21, but I had reached that magic age, and was no longer considered a youth, or young adult. Then there was the other thing, the thing that those that are can carry with honor, and those that aren't can't, for the rest of their lives. The overwhelming majority of the Camp Geiger Staff are Eagle Scouts. The exception for those who are Runners or Keepers of the Sacred Bundle is to not be an Eagle. Sadly, I raise my hand as a Life for lifer, AND a Keeper of the Sacred Bundle.
To this day I wonder the why. I remember the disappointment on the faces of many staff members, when it was me, and not one of them. I remember being told by the Head Runner that I didn't need to run. That was disappointing, but I ended up working with the adult foxmen that night.
Part of the reason that I tapped probably had to do with it being an exclusive week for Troops chartered by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I guess it wasn't technically exclusive, but it was catered to those troops. I had returned the winter before from my mission for the church in Spain, which was a walking mission, and would likely have been the only year in my life that I could have had the physical ability to do it. The only year that I have missed being at camp at least 3 days of a session was 1984, the year that I was in Spain, serving God.
A 35th anniversary is not particularly special, though in this case, it is a double anniversary. Not only did I tap in 1985, but I also advanced to the exalted paint station of Keeper of the Sacred Bundle.
Two of my senior Keeper brothers advanced to Tribal Council last night. I couldn't be happier for either of them. While I did not know Chad very well, I had known Ryan. Both are outstanding men and will serve the tribe far better in their new responsibility. Of course, the term senior is relative.
What I really wanted to write on, after spending half the blog or so just noting a passing reference, is something that Ed Stroud, the DMM mentioned Thursday night. He mentioned that the Tribe needed the people of Mic-O-Say, and more, that the country needed the people of Mic-O-Say. Actually, I don't recall if he used the term people or not, but that is how I heard it. He is right, in that this country desperately needs people of good character to live up to their principles.
I have seen many things in Scouting and the tribe over the past 40 years and change (since 1978, to be exact). I have seen change come that seemed like having a tooth pulled. As someone who managed in the federal government, I saw a lot of changes that came along, and the thing is, when change is forced on you, you can drag it out, applying whatever topical pain relief gets you through, yet suffering for weeks or months, or just numb it as much as possible, and have it pulled. There are others who have seen far more, and more is to come, likely next week. To be truthful, I am surprised there was no big change last night.
It is so important that those principles that we all hold near and dear to us come to the top, and that we examine and use them everyday. We should look for OUR shortcomings in dealing with our brothers and sisters of the human race, and remember above all, that we should love them as we love ourselves. We should see them as God sees them, as His children. We can only help others change through gentle persuasion, but only after we have decided to change for the better. To do those things that we know are right. Not just do them, but live them. We should examine our acts, particularly those of us that are adults, but also as members of the tribe in general, and set the example for those that look to us for that example. It is hard to build a reputation of trust, honor, and respect, and yet so easy to topple. As ones who have chosen principles, we are under constant scrutiny.
There are forces at work to divide this nation, however it can be divided. Race, gender, class. We must double our efforts to truly see past these differences. To welcome and lift our brothers and sisters regardless of standing. We must find ways to unite. If not, then the old refrain surely rings true today:
"We, must, indeed all hang together, or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately." Benjamin Franklin
I write, because that is something that I can do. If you like what is written, let me know, and if you really like it, don't hesitate to share. If you don't, that is okay too. Please tell me why. My goal is to improve. Only uniting through principle can we make a stand. And it's easy, people mostly want to do right. They just need an example.
Time to step up. Me too. After 35 years.
It is indeed swell.
With tomahawk in one hand, and torch in the other, I ran down a hill, fondly known as Cardiac, ran around a circle I think 11 times but it may have been much less. You know how the memory is, besides, it was a much smaller circle, trust me, tapping out a group of boys, and adults, and then out of breath, crawling back up the hill.using the torch as a lever to help me get up. Adrenalin only carries one so far, and I had ran out probably a lap or two previous. It was a never to be forgotten experience, and I joined an elite group that I am humbled to be a part of. Why?
Until 2018 I had not served on the Camp Geiger Staff. Strictly Camper Coup. I was 21, but I had reached that magic age, and was no longer considered a youth, or young adult. Then there was the other thing, the thing that those that are can carry with honor, and those that aren't can't, for the rest of their lives. The overwhelming majority of the Camp Geiger Staff are Eagle Scouts. The exception for those who are Runners or Keepers of the Sacred Bundle is to not be an Eagle. Sadly, I raise my hand as a Life for lifer, AND a Keeper of the Sacred Bundle.
To this day I wonder the why. I remember the disappointment on the faces of many staff members, when it was me, and not one of them. I remember being told by the Head Runner that I didn't need to run. That was disappointing, but I ended up working with the adult foxmen that night.
Part of the reason that I tapped probably had to do with it being an exclusive week for Troops chartered by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I guess it wasn't technically exclusive, but it was catered to those troops. I had returned the winter before from my mission for the church in Spain, which was a walking mission, and would likely have been the only year in my life that I could have had the physical ability to do it. The only year that I have missed being at camp at least 3 days of a session was 1984, the year that I was in Spain, serving God.
A 35th anniversary is not particularly special, though in this case, it is a double anniversary. Not only did I tap in 1985, but I also advanced to the exalted paint station of Keeper of the Sacred Bundle.
Two of my senior Keeper brothers advanced to Tribal Council last night. I couldn't be happier for either of them. While I did not know Chad very well, I had known Ryan. Both are outstanding men and will serve the tribe far better in their new responsibility. Of course, the term senior is relative.
What I really wanted to write on, after spending half the blog or so just noting a passing reference, is something that Ed Stroud, the DMM mentioned Thursday night. He mentioned that the Tribe needed the people of Mic-O-Say, and more, that the country needed the people of Mic-O-Say. Actually, I don't recall if he used the term people or not, but that is how I heard it. He is right, in that this country desperately needs people of good character to live up to their principles.
I have seen many things in Scouting and the tribe over the past 40 years and change (since 1978, to be exact). I have seen change come that seemed like having a tooth pulled. As someone who managed in the federal government, I saw a lot of changes that came along, and the thing is, when change is forced on you, you can drag it out, applying whatever topical pain relief gets you through, yet suffering for weeks or months, or just numb it as much as possible, and have it pulled. There are others who have seen far more, and more is to come, likely next week. To be truthful, I am surprised there was no big change last night.
It is so important that those principles that we all hold near and dear to us come to the top, and that we examine and use them everyday. We should look for OUR shortcomings in dealing with our brothers and sisters of the human race, and remember above all, that we should love them as we love ourselves. We should see them as God sees them, as His children. We can only help others change through gentle persuasion, but only after we have decided to change for the better. To do those things that we know are right. Not just do them, but live them. We should examine our acts, particularly those of us that are adults, but also as members of the tribe in general, and set the example for those that look to us for that example. It is hard to build a reputation of trust, honor, and respect, and yet so easy to topple. As ones who have chosen principles, we are under constant scrutiny.
There are forces at work to divide this nation, however it can be divided. Race, gender, class. We must double our efforts to truly see past these differences. To welcome and lift our brothers and sisters regardless of standing. We must find ways to unite. If not, then the old refrain surely rings true today:
"We, must, indeed all hang together, or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately." Benjamin Franklin
I write, because that is something that I can do. If you like what is written, let me know, and if you really like it, don't hesitate to share. If you don't, that is okay too. Please tell me why. My goal is to improve. Only uniting through principle can we make a stand. And it's easy, people mostly want to do right. They just need an example.
Time to step up. Me too. After 35 years.
It is indeed swell.
Well said my friend. I do enjoy your writing.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
DeleteI was in that circle 35 years ago, and thanks to you, I became a Brave that week. We’ve talked about that and I’ve said it before, but Thank you, my friend. =)
ReplyDelete