The Boy Scouts and the Tomb of the Unknowns

Changing of the Guard
Tomb of the Unknowns

Probably few other moments in my life have been as moving as the times I have  watched the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery. I've witnessed this event numerous times and each time I'm moved to tears. Sure...I'll admit it...I'm an emotional guy. Yet, this event calls out much more than just an emotional response from me. I sense the deep, symbolic meaning of the well-orchestrated change. The changing of the guard gives new meaning to the old cliche, Spit and Polish. I've never seen anything else like it. The movement, the military choreography, the serious stares and the marble white tombs bring the observer into a somber recognition of the sacrifice so many have made for our Republic. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=et1ik5O-REs&feature=player_embedded)

All of this comes to mind because I am preparing to lead my Boy Scout Troop to Washington DC where these fine young men will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns. I grew up in Indiana....basically out in a corn field near a bean field near a creek just down from the 100 Acre Woods. I didn't know Winnie the Pooh in those days but I sure ran with wild animals all the days of my youth. I always wanted to be a Boy Scout but...sadly...no adult would take the time or pay the price. Yes, yes I know the old joke...being a Scout Leader only takes one hour a week...right. If you become a Scout Leader you'll gag on that phrase. I'm happy to spend the time and take these boys to our Capital. We have many plans.



Washington's Headquarters
Valley Forge Encampment

 The Boy Scouts from the Troop will raise the flag at Valley Forge National Park. That moment alone would be worth the entire journey, right? I mean...George Washington camping at Valley Forge during our revolution trying to talk the guys into staying around to get shot up by the expert marksmen of the British and...oh yeow..."no boots fellas and no food either. Fight for it!" When we get there at Valley Forge and those boys raise that flag I'm gonna break out in song, "This is MY country, land of the FREE." Wow. What a price so many have paid for me to have the privilege just to write this blog without fear of retribution (at least I've not heard anything from the NSA, CIA, FBI or the Internal Review Board at Ohio University).



Scouts Lay Wreath at Tomb
1937

 Ah, but the thrill will come when we arrive in Arlington for those singularly unique moments. Only a few Boy Scouts in the history of the movement (see link at the end of the blog entry) have ever had the opportunity to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns. Our boys have been selected. I'm so proud of them. I'm thankful for the many community members who have contributed to make this possible. But I am most thankful that I live in the United States of America where I can teach young men to do a "good turn daily" instead of shouldering a backpack in order to blow themselves and someone else up into bits and pieces. I make heavy demands on my Boy Scouts, but I ask them to learn leadership skills, ethics, woods skills and life values. I can't wait to compare the photo of our Troop as they lay the wreath at the foot of the Tomb with the one featured here. This photo was taken in 1937...the same year of the great flood in our home town here in Ohio. My how things have changed. I'm glad some things never change!

Today, our Boy Scout Troop have berets, sport white ceremony gloves and wear long pants. We keep the traditions, however, because our male adult leaders all wear the campaign hats just like Baden Powell. (http://pinetreeweb.com/B-P.htm) Now THAT is Scouting! I'd love for the Boys to wear the old-fashioned campaign hats but they cost too much! We'll stick with the berets...even though the Army has once again abandoned them (except for parade dress). I'm smiling as I think about those boys walking that wreath up to that Tomb and placing it ever so gently down in memory of honor, sacrifice, courage and true patriotism. Goosebumps!

I should tell you about our wreath the boys will place at the Tomb. Weber's Florist has been a successful business here in our community for many years. They're designing this special wreath we will transport to Arlington. The artistic floral arrangement features the name of the Troop and the names of the four patrols of our Troop on ribbons. The entire piece appears to be a beautiful dream catcher made in the tradition and honor of Native Americans. I will certainly post a photo of this unique creation in the days to come.

In the truest sense, Boy Scout Troop 106 will soon make history. Young men from Southern Ohio will travel many miles to join and participate in a ceremony that has not changed since the inception: The Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns. I will weep as I watch them. I just can't help it. Imagine the stories these young men will have for their Scouts, their children, their families. This is the stuff dreams are made of. This is the stuff Republics are made of. This IS Scouting!

http://www.erbzine.com/mag17/1795.html