A Passion Toward Making Your Life Something of Consequence

As Young Eagles Grow

by Scout Master Andy Gibbs

(Andy and I shared a barracks together in a MASH unit in the 70's.  He's quite a guy and would certainly have become Top Sergeant had he not moved on to civilian life and super success as inventor, author, farmer, father, and President/CEO of several enterprises, the latest of which is PatentCafe.com.  He's also a Scout Master of a very active troop.  The Troop Web page is at     )

Into the world you came fresh and unused

Untrained, unknowing, bewildered, exposed.

You looked to others for warmth and food

Unaware of the care your parents had showed.

You soon discovered that you lacked self esteem

By not being best at football, or soccer, or girls, or school

But you found your zone and began to see

to your own way of doing things, how you too could be cool.

From there you kept growing to fill bigger shoes

Ignoring your parents, and teachers, friends and the rest

Resisting direction, only wanting to chose

From your limited view what you knew must be best.

Thankfully you went to that first scout meeting

And found others who knew as much as you.

From that day on you started your reading

And found Scouting's message intriguing and new.

But looking back on those first few days

you probably remember it as a fearful time.

You wanted to quit, you were thinking of ways

But before you knew it you had moved up the line.  

Then came the day when young scouts would ask

For your help on a badge, or achievement or deed.

You found it was quite a formidable task

To humble yourself, to prepare, to lead.

And just when you thought you were nearing the end,

You discovered a discouraging wrinkle

You had to build deeper respect for parents and teachers and friends,

And learned that only hard work would get you the Eagle.

Now you've made it to Eagle and its a strange transition

That through your persistence you've earned OUR affection

Tomorrow you must go forth with conviction

And become a leader of others with no further direction.

You're an Eagle now, fresh and unused

But trained, and knowing, and wilderness exposed.

Look for others you may give warmth and food

Follow what Scouting, your friends, and your parents have showed.

That, (Scout's Name), is how young Eagles grow.

© 04MAR2001  Andy Gibbs  Troop 6, Yuba City, California

I happen to like motivational speeches.  Nothing addresses our real inner thoughts more, as human beings, than our desire to BE SOMEBODY.

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