Eagle Court of Honor – ScoutMaster’s Minute (Takashi and Keenan)
Written by Scoutmaster Amit Srivastava.
Takashi and Keenan earlier recited the scout oath as they have done several hundreds of times as part of their scouting journey. As parents you would have heard it multiple times in scout meetings and events. It is one the first thing a scout learns when they join boy scouts. Scouts have been reciting the same scout oath for over a 100 years, since 1910 and nothing has changed. The words are simple: “on my honor I will do my best..” but profound. It tells the scout to keep 3 promises.
- Duty to God and country,
- Duty to other people, and
- Duty to self
DUTY TO GOD AND COUNTRY: Your family and religious leaders teach you to know and serve God. By following these teachings, you do your duty to God. The duty to country refers to one’s service to their country, and being a good citizen. Service does not mean joining the “military” to do duty for your country. By being a good family member and a good citizen, by working for your country’s good and obeying its laws, you do your duty to your country.
DUTY TO OTHER PEOPLE: Many people need help. A cheery smile and a helping hand make life easier for others. By doing a Good Turn daily and helping when you’re needed, you prove yourself a Scout and do your part to make this a better world.
DUTY TO SELF: Keeping yourself physically strong means taking care of your body. Eat the right foods and build your strength. Staying mentally alert means that you should learn all you can, be curious, and ask questions. As you go to college, I am sure you will get plenty off opportunities to do so. Being morally straight means to live your life with honesty, to be clean in your speech and actions, and to be a person of strong character.
One sign that you have seen scouts use multiple times is the scout sign. It has 3 fingers with the little finger covered by the thumb. It is not only a sign of respect, the 3 fingers in the sign reminds the scout of the 3 promises they took in the scout oath.
Scouts learn to memorize the words early on, but it does take them time to learn the true meaning of the phrase. It is the scouting journey from Scout rank to First Class and the leadership journey they take with the trail to Eagle really help cements the words of the scout oath. Takashi and Keenan congratulations on taking this journey and realizing the essence of the scout oath.