Yesterday we drove to Anchorage to attend the memorial service for the four adult scouters electrocuted at the National Boy Scout Jamboree. The service was held in the largest public building in Anchorage. Police directed traffic both into and out of the parking lot. There were over a thousand people in attendance. More than half were adults and most of the adults were or have been involved in scouting for many years.

These four men were very active in their communities beyond boy scouting. It was impressive listening to leader after leader extol their virtues and civic accomplishments. Each man left quite a legacy. Alaska’s Senator Ted Stevens, our Lt. Governor Loren Leman (also a peninsula resident), and other government officials addressed the audience. The troupe of scouts had visited with Senator Stevens at the Capitol Building just the day before that accident. By the time the memorial was over everybody had a pretty good idea about the men, the lives each lead, and their hopes and aspirations.

One speaker mentioned an American Indian proverb about how a person is known by the tracks he leaves behind. The man about whom he was speaking was a devoted husband and father (tracks). He was active in his church, a Sunday school teacher and financial officer (tracks). He was active with United Way and the Boys & Girls Club (tracks). He helped with Habitat for Humanity (tracks). He’d been active in Boy Scouting since becoming a Cub Scout many years ago (tracks). He died doing that which he loved…helping young people develop into responsible and reliable young men (tracks).

The last speaker was one of the scouts that attended the jamboree. Today he was to go before the Eagle Scout Board of Review to see if all the requirements have been met, and to determine whether his life demonstrates all that the Boy Scouts require. After listening to his speech with the resounding and lengthy applause, I’m pretty sure that he is now our latest Eagle and ready to take flight. I believe that he will also create a noteworthy legacy throughout his life.

A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. That is the Scout Law. The Scout Oath: On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong; mentally awake; and morally straight.

These men exemplified the Scout Oath and the Scout Law. Their legacy will continue.

What kind of tracks will we leave behind?