Published: May 02, 2008 01:23 pm            

Scouting principles needed now more than ever

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — In 1985, he swam the English Channel.

In 1992, he competed in the Alaskan Iditarod dogsled race. In 1996, he took part in the 24-hour Le Mans motor race.

He has set more than 100 world records in five different fields, with 60 of them remaining unbroken today.

He was one of the world’s most accomplished speed sailors, holding the seven fastest official world records, as well as 13 out of 22 outright world records, as recognized by the world Sailing Speed Record Council. In 2001, he knocked nearly two days off the previous transatlantic record, accomplishing the crossing in just four days and 17 hours. He smashed the round-the-world sailing record by almost six days, spending just under 59 days at sea.

He holds round-the-world records for medium-weight airplanes, as well as U.S. transcontinental records for nonmilitary aircraft. And most recently, he broke another world record by completing the longest nonstop flight in aviation history.

Taking off from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center, he flew his specially designed aircraft 26,389 miles nonstop.

Of course, I am speaking of the late Steve Fossett, an American adventurer.

Mr. Fossett was an American I admired for his plucky, never-say-die spirit and sheer determination.

People forget that Fossett accomplished many of his world records at age 50-plus. He accomplished his last world record at age 61. Folks, it’s never too late to dream and do.

Fossett is quoted as saying: “I mainly do these things for my personal satisfaction. I thoroughly enjoy what I’m doing, so I don’t plan on stopping. I’ll always find various things to do.”

Guess what organization Fossett credits most for his success in life and in business?

If you guessed Scouting, you’d be right.

Here is what he said about Scouting: “As a Scout, I learned how to set goals and achieve them. Being a Scout also taught me leadership at a young age when there were few opportunities to be a leader. Scouting values have remained with me throughout my life, in my business career and now as I take on new challenges.”

Fossett was one of many famous former Scouts. Here is a list of just a few:

Hank Aaron, Neil Armstrong, Bill Bradley, Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, Jimmy Buffett, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Walter Cronkite, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Gerald Ford, Henry Fonda, Bill Gates, Lyndon B. Johnson, John F. Kennedy, James Lovell, Willard J. Marriott Jr., Paul McCartney, Ross Perot, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Teddy Roosevelt, Jimmy Stewart, Steven Spielberg and Sam Walton.

My son Ty has earned his Eagle Scout. I have watched him grow in every way as he has participated in the Scouting program.

This is what Scouting is teaching our young men:

A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.

The Scout oath, which is recited at the opening of every meeting, says:

“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.”

What parent would not want their son to learn these principles?

As I look around the world today, I see the need now more than ever for Scouting principles to be shouted from the rooftops to our young men.

As a Scouting parent, I can, without reservation, recommend the program.

We need to let them know that we support them by volunteering, donating as much of our time, talents and money as we can.

Today’s Scouts are tomorrow’s leaders.

And, yes, maybe even world record holders.



Robin Quillon writes for The Tribune-Democrat n Johnstown, Pa.



Robin Quillon is the publisher of The Tribune-Democrat. He can be reached at rquillon@tribdem.com

        

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