Here is a emailed SM Minute I sent to the Troop a few days after the September 11th, 2001, it still holds true today…
Tim Falendysz
Monday night we celebrated the honor of the summer achievements, and Tuesday morning life for all changed dramatically. I think it is safe to say that each of us has been touched by the incident, each in our own way. We are saddened by what has happened. There are NO words to describe WHAT has happened. We can all talk about the tragedy but that does not bring back the thousands of lives lost. Each of us will grieve in our own way, but with this we now realize how fragile life really is. It seems as if only yesterday people were arguing that prayer does not belong in our schools or government. Now those people seem silent and we unite IN prayer. When our own personal gain was more important than morals and ethics, today everyone understands what these mean as a nation, we have gone from a ME nation to a WE Nation. Somehow that has all changed in a moment. The sad part is that we had to have such a great loss to realize that is AMERICA.
As Boy Scouts we live by the Scout Law as Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent. Today, do you wonder why the entire world cannot use this law? When you consider how terrible the actions of others were on September 11, 2001 you know that the terrorists could NEVER conceive what the Scout Law means, but as Americans we understand. As you see what happens you can’t help but think about how the Scout Law is living in each of us, not only as Scouts but Americans.
Trustworthy of our fellow man to pitch in and help right the wrongs of foreign powers. We will put trust in our allies as we maintain the freedoms of our Nation and the World.
Loyalty is demonstrated by all of the American Flags flying showing our loyalty to a Country and the freedoms the flag represents.
Helpful, as you see the many volunteers and workers trying to create order to some disorder of our Nation. Americans doing anything they can do from reaching in their pockets for money, giving of their very own blood to help their fellow man. Some of whom have given their lives to save their fellow man. Helpful seems to be a small word for the sacrifice given.
Friendly, as it does not matter of race or creed, our Nation has pulled together as one force to show our unity as a nation.
Courteous and Kind are shown by the outpouring of emotion and sympathy for victims and their families, many we may not even have known, as we light candles, attend services, and wear ribbons showing support for those who had personal loss, we all share in their pain.
Obedient as we accept that as a Nation we must be more understanding of the new guidelines presented by our government to ensure our safety and freedom is withheld.
Cheerful, in a time like this is hard to find, as we are all saddened by this, we find comfort in knowing that we as Americans will overcome this and will be a better nation even after this ordeal. Smiles may be hidden by the tears but we will smile as we see that we have put life in perspective.
Thrifty, We understand that as a nation, there are thousands of families that will have to survive this after the smoke clears and the tears dry. To be thrifty is to save for unforeseen needs. Little did we expect that these unforeseen needs would be to help the families of the victims of this tragedy. We give our savings generously because we are a family as a Nation.
Brave as our fellow man give their lives trying to save another. Brave are the many workers who work hours upon hours in the hope of finding yet one more person alive. Bravery is also shown as we move forward committed to maintaining our freedom for today and tomorrow.
Clean as a Nation, knowing that the acts are not part of our lifestyle and will never be.
And Reverent, as we all reflect and pray. We commit ourselves to spiritually helping so many who have been victimized by these desperate acts
As we watch all that is going on in America it is not hard to see the Scout Law in action. Not as Scouts living the Law, but as Americans. As an organization, we support the values of America, not America supporting the values of the Boy Scouts. As much as we are saddened by the events, we should see the good that may have come from this. The Spirit has always been part of us. As we think about Scouting we are reminded that the values of the Scout Law are a goal of Scouting, but they are also the goals of AMERICA. As we strive to be better Scouts we strive to be better Americans. As we mature in our Scouting ranks we mature to be some of the finest Americans. You will find many of those touched by Scouting serving as firemen, police officers, rescue workers, medical personnel, military workers and the many volunteers just helping in any way they can. Those people have been enriched by the experience of Scouting. The service to others they learned working on a service project of a Troop to the leadership of an Eagle project provided the experience we need in a crisis. That spirit learned there has been carried to many of their fellow man well past their Scout age, not only in what is now known as “ground zero” but ripples throughout the entire nation as we send money, supplies and support from all generations of Scouting.
As Scouts, I think we can all be proud of all we do and what Scouting does to build a strong America. We should show the citizenship we are taught in rank advancement and Merit Badges programs by flying the flag correctly. As Americans, we will survive this and will be strong from it. God Bless America!!
Tim Falendysz
Scoutmaster
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