Service, Duties, Responsibilities, and Rewards

As I sit here and write this letter, I reflect on the fact that it is my father’s birthday. Today he’s 71.He was an Order of the Arrow member when I went through my Ordeal on one half-remembered weekend in 1969. He was there at Camp Josepho that week end, giving “Cheerful Service” to the lodge and to BSA as a whole. Today, I am studying for my OA Brotherhood, here in Camp Whitsett, while MY son is performing HIS ordeal. A great circle.

 When I reached Eagle, I realized that I was in the program for life, that when my children were old enough, I’d be doing for them what my father did for me. That was in 1971. Now in 1999, on the verge of a new millennium, I find my promise to myself, made so many years ago, has come to fruition in ways I scarce imagined back then. Back then I counted on the work and responsibility…today I see it as, not only work and duty….but also a right, and a reward, not only to my sons, but to Scouting, America, and in a large sense, the planet as a whole.

I have the ability to change the world. In small ways, one day and one scout at a time. I realize that my work in Boy Scouts really IS building a better America, and a better future for not only my children, but for theirs as well. In few places can one find an outlet where he knows for a fact, that he’s doing positive work to the betterment of humanity. I look at the News, with all it’s horrors, then I look at the youth I work with on a daily basis. The kids I’m in contact with give me hope for the future….every where I look this weekend, I see a positive force at work.

 I approached being an Asst. Scoutmaster with not a little dread. Realizing that the commitment of time and energy would be an even bigger drain on my already scarce resources, I was a little worried about my ability to perform at the level I wanted. Little did I realize that I would be rewarded beyond my worries. I’ve found that working with youth to be one of the most fulfilling things I’ve undertaken. Every once in a while, a Boy says something, or writes me a letter, or a parent pulls me aside, and tells me how I’ve affected their kid. Or even, I see with my own eyes how our troop progresses, or how a young man carries himself in an Eagle Board, and I know….all my work is for a reason.

 A number of years ago, I had a fight with one of the members of my crew at work. She asked “John. How do you want us to act?” All I could think to say was “Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent!” My Kid at the time was 3, and I don’t think I had repeated the Scout Oath in 20 years! I realized that the skills and values I learned as a Scout, had followed me. This is the gift I’m trying to pass on to the youth I work with today.

 Scouting is one of the few places where a youth can learn the leadership skills that they’ll need in later life. The skills I learned as a Scout, have enabled me to lead a crew of talented individuals into stressful situations, and more importantly, lead them out at the end. It’s helped me with job interviews, relationships, and the concept of “Cheerful Service” has carried forth 30 years from that weekend, right to today.

 Teaching Youth to LIVE the oath and laws, not just give lip service to them, has been my greatest Obligation, Duty, Right…and Reward.

 I plan on giving service to this program where ever I can fit in, in what ever way I can be used to greatest effectiveness. I’m in this for the duration….I’m a Boy Scout for life.

Yours In Scouting,
John Luker, ASM Troop 464