The Scout Law and John Wayne

I found this some twenty years ago after I had returned to the troop that I grew up in to help as an assistant Scout master.   Of all my favorite things Scouting, surprisingly I never posted it on my blog.  So, here is some background and the Scout Law as defined by John Wayne.

One of John Wayne's last public appearances was at a dinner.  He was riddled with cancer and knew he was close to death.  The purpose of the dinner was to benefit a land purchase for a Scout Reservation called John Wayne Outpost Camp.  At this dinner, Wayne recited the Scout Law.  Then he did something unusual, he said, the twelve points of the Scout Law are “nice words”.  “Trouble is.” he continued.  “we learn them so young we sometimes don’t get all the understanding that goes with them.  I take care of that in my family.  As each boy reaches Scout age, I make sure he learns the Scout Law.  Then I break it down for him, with a few things I have picked up in more than half a century since I learned it.”

Wayne proceeded to explain the importance of the Scout Law, breaking it down for the guests at the dinner, much like he would have for his grandson.

Trustworthy

The badge of honesty.  Having it lets you look any man in the eye.  Lacking it, he won’t look back.  Keep this one at the top of your list.

Loyal

The very word is life itself, for without loyalty we have no love of person or country.

Helpful

Part sharing, part caring.  By helping each other, we help ourselves, not to mention mankind.  Be always full of help - the dying man’s last words.

Friendly

Brotherhood is part of that word.  You can take it in a lot of directions - and do - but make sure and start with brotherhood.

Courteous

Allow each person his human dignity, which means a lot more than saying, “yes ma’am” and “thank you sir”.  It reflects an attitude that later in life you wish you had honored more … earlier in life.  Save yourself that problem.  Do it now.

Kind

This one word would stop wars and erase hatreds.  But it’s like your bicycle, it’s just no good unless you get out and use it.

Obedient

Starts at home.  Practice it in your family.  Enlarge it in your friends.  Share it with humanity.

Cheerful

Anyone can put on a happy face when the going is good.  The secret is to wear it as a mask for your problems.  It might surprise you how many others do the same thing.

Thrifty

Means a lot more than putting pennies away, and it is the opposite of cheap.  Common sense covers it just about as well as anything.

Brave

You don’t have to fight to be brave.  Millions of good, fine, decent folks show more bravery than heavyweight champs just by getting out of bed every morning, going out to do a good day’s work and living the best life they know how against the law of odds.

Clean

Soap and water helps a lot on the outside.  But it is the inside that counts and don’t ever forget it.

Reverent

Believe in anything that you want to believe in, but keep God at the top of it.  With Him, life can be a beautiful experience.  Without Him, you are just biding time.