Lone Star Scouter

 Have you ever wondered what happened to the fifty six men who signed the Declaration of Independence? Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured. Nine of the fixty six fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War. They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.

What kind of men were they?

Twenty four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well death would be the cost if captured. Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.

Thomas McKean was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.

Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.

At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson Jr. noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.

Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.

John Hart was driven from his wife’s bedside as she was dying. Their thirteen children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart.

Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates.

Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild-eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education.

They had security, but they valued liberty more. Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged: “For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”

They gave you and me a free and independent America. The history books never told you a lot about what happened in the Revolutionary War. We didn’t fight just the British. We were British subjects at that time and we fought our own government!

Some of us take these liberties so much for granted, but we shouldn’t. So, take a few minutes this year while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It’s not much to ask for the price they paid.

This past summer camp at CIMA was interesting to say the least. With injuries and illness that sent 3 Scouts home, the Troop had one Scout that shined brightly and who went above and beyond the call to duty. With 32 Scouts we started out with two SPL’s, but by Tuesday morning I made the decision to make the ASPL the SPL. Dillon, who typically skips MB classes, and causes mayhem in and around camp. But this camp something was different, he was showing amazing leadership, taking control while leading by example. He demanded respect not only for himself but for his assistance’s, adults and the troop in general.

When a Scout fell he would carry him. When a Scout was injured he administered first aid while he had another Scout find adults for help, and help younger Scouts with home sickness. I was amazed as I sat at camp and watched Dillon lead the Troop, using patrol method, teaching respect, correcting un-scout like behavior. Yes the light bulb came on. I have to say Dillon demonstrated the best leadership I have ever seen from an SPL at a summer camp. The other two SPL’s who became ASPL’s were relieved and supported their SPL when task were delegated to them while learning to become better leaders themselves from his example.

It’s Scouts like Dillon who make their Scoutmaster proud.

For those who live in Cypress in the Big Cypress District, check out the new district web site at the following link bigcypressdistrict.com  and also listed under BSA websites. For all other Scouters, check out what our new district has in-store for our Scouts in the area.

I am looking foreword working with our new district leaders and would like to congratulate an ASM from T483 Dale T. for becoming our first District Commissioner and Todd G. as District Treasurer.

Can you identyify this snake?

As of July first the Rising Star District will be no more. Apparently we grew so large that our Council SHAC divided us into three new districts.

I found out at the district meeting, our first, that I have the job as the Boy Scout Round Table Chairman or comminisher, something to that effect. Needless to say my wife was thrilled at the news, sarcasm intended. They said it was the easiest of the district jobs and it is once a month. I did volunteer to do the Scoutmaster training, which I did my first one at camp last week. I hope I can live up to the expectations they have entrusted in me.

Our new district is off to a good start with allot of great leaders and I look foreword to it’s growth and serving all our Scouts in the area.

I have more visits per day about the new Scout uniform than any other post. Apparently allot of people are wondering which uniform to wear after August, and families in our troop seem in a panic. The new centennial uniform is to celebrate 100 years of Scouting. I’ll most likely get one to wear for outdoor use. The current one has been very uncomfortable for outdoor activities. I have seen other troops go climbing in them, that is their choice.

What allot of Scouters may not know is that any uniform from the early 1900’s to the current one coming soon, can be worn at any time at any scouting event. For example if you happen to have a uniform from, lets say 1957, it can be worn at any Scouting event, meeting, camp, COH, etc.

I have talked to my local scout store and they tell me that the new uniforms may not be in until around December any way. It’s defiantly a time for a change in uniforms, but it is not time to panic about buying the new one and mothballing the old one. The change is for Boy Scouts only at this time and not for the Cubs, Webelo, Venture or Sea Scouts.

That’s my opinion. What’s yours?

I guess the name says it all. The company claims “for all those butt busting activities”. This is an anti friction powder that is good for biking, hiking driving etc. It is suppose to remove moisture and reduse friction, well you get the point. I guess if you do not want to end up with monkey butt, try it out. If it works add it to your gear list.

The Bridge Builder

“Old man,” said a fellow pilgrim near,
“You are wasting your strength with building here.
Your journey will end with the ending day,
You never again will pass this way.
You’ve crossed the chasm, deep and wide,
Why build you this bridge at eventide?”
The builder lifted his old gray head.

“Good friend, in the path I have come,” he said,
“There followed after me today
A youth whose feet must pass this way.
The chasm that was as naught to me
To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be;
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim –
Good friend, I am building this bridge for him.”

–Will Allen Dromgoole