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Patriotism
About
the time my youngest daughter turned three, she knew to ask several questions
whenever she saw me getting ready for a Scouting function, like:
"Are we going to Roundtable tonight, daddy?"
"Are you doing training today, daddy?"
"Does Matthew have a Scout meeting tonight, daddy?"
"Can I go camping with you, daddy?"
She knew that RT and training meant that daddy would have a bag of candy,
used to draw adults out of their shells, and that she would be a secondary
beneficiary of that supply. Camping meant that she got to snuggle up with
daddy in a sleeping bag at night, and romp in the outdoors during the day.
She also learned that every meeting starts with the Pledge of Allegiance, and
all ball games (we have season tickets for a local single A baseball team)
start with the Star Spangled Banner. She came to know that you put your right
hand over your heart and take of your hat if you're not in uniform, and
salute if you are. She knows that when you see the flag being carried, you
stand up. She knows most of the words to the Pledge and the Star Spangled
Banner.
She can recognize the flag of the United States. She reminds her brother to
pick his Scout uniform up off his floor if, after a meeting, he's dropped it
there, because it has an American flag on it and it shouldn't be treated that
way. She has T-shirts she calls her "uniforms" that she likes to
wear to Scouting events, because they have US flags on them. (In particular,
she's fond of her "Future President of the United States" shirt
that daddy got her in Washington, D.C.) Going to a Scout meeting sometimes
means changing her clothes so she'll be in uniform and can salute the flag.
She knows the flags we own in our home. Among them the flag we keep in the
garage and use for den meetings, and for demonstrating opening ceremonies at
leader training; the flag and pole we use for RT and pack meetings; the flag
we bought at a Scout auction; the two flags daddy brought home from Wood Badge--his
day to be patrol leader was July Fourth; and the flag that flew in space, in
the open cargo bay of the space shuttle, given to her great-great uncle for
his work on the program, and in turn given to her daddy by her great-great
aunt.
We've never had a conversation with her about patriotism or America. After
all, how do you explain Duty, Honor or "Love of Country" to a three
or four year old? What words can have meaning to a child that young, no
matter how advanced he or she might be?
Words are not the answer. Rather, it's the company you keep and the example
you set. The life you lead. I'm proud to have been able to spend the past
five plus years living my life so firmly in the company of Scouts and Scout
leaders, because I consider them among the finest people in the world, and
because their example is one I want my children to learn from and follow.
Sean Scott
Training Chairman
Cub Roundtable Commissioner
Day Camp Director, Tahquitz District
Family FOS Chairman, California Inland Empire Council
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