The Death of Diversity

This has been a very busy last few days. On the one side we observed a Day of Memoralization for those whom have fought and died combating enemies outside of our borders, so that the American way of life, of Freedom, can be enjoyed by all of us. Inversely, we also observe one of our most long-standing and diverse institutions be destroyed by enemies within our borders.

I’ve been involved with our local Cub Scout Pack for quite a few years. As an early scout myself, to an involved parent, to committee chair volunteer to my current volunteer position as Cub Master, at which I have been for the last four years. If someone were to have asked me to step down from any of these volunteer positions, I would have gladly acquiesced. But not today, and not tomorrow. For now I understand the essence of Scouting; For on this Memorial Day I have learned the value of Diversity.

It started quite simply as any other day at the parade. A beautiful sunny morning with kids running around excitedly, adults greeting one another with warmth and joviality; and of a US Veteran introducing himself.

Clearly, I was identifiable in my Scout Leaders uniform, holding our Pack flag alongside the US flag. I was approached and presented with a requests. There were banners which identified various Veteran groups participating in the parade. These banners required bearers, and would any of our Scouts like to bear these banners during the parade?

The show of hands was exclamatory with enthusiasm. I was proud of the response that these Scouts gave this Veteran, and warmed by the respect that these 9 and 10 year olds were showing towards this Veteran.

As the parade started, the young Scouts proudly bore the banners identifying our veterans. The remaining scouts took our positions and prepared ourselves for the most fun part of the whole day … the handing out of as many US-Made American Flags, to as many people as possible.

Young and old alike, whether watching from the street or from the distant porch: off went running our group of scouts to hand out as many flags as possible! Always running, always smiling and never wavering

I asked one of the scouts what to him was the best part of the parade. He immediately responded “Handing out the flags!”. Why, I asked, and as he ran off to an elderly couple on a porch exclaimed “Because it make them happy!”

I’m not quite certain as to how many flags our little group handed out, close to 1500 as that was the amount we had provided. But I do know how many smiles, how much warmth, and how much respect was shared on the Memorial Day … A heart-full, many times over.

At the end of the parade, when we regrouped, I heard story after story of our banner bearers. It seems that they also learned the meaning of respect. For as they progressed along the parade route, they were accorded words of respect and recognition for the honor that they were bringing to the Veterans. When asked what moment was most rewarding for them during this parade; Their eyes alighted, chests heaved and their proclamations heralded “Doing something special for someone else, for our Veterans!”

In all my years of Scouting, it is now that I understand the value of the Scouting Program. I may have known the value, but I never felt it nor understood it as I did on this Memorial Day.

Ask me now to be relieved of any of my volunteer responsibilities, and I’ll advise you to get in line and wait your turn. Because I now understand that The Scouting Program is important not for that which I bring to it, but for that which I receive from its program. For the youngsters learn from their experience and their involvement; and it is the community whom receives the greatest benefit from these scouts who maintain the Tenants of Scouting.

The Scouting Program is a moral compass in a tempest sea. A steadfast tradition of strong Religious-based values that cherish and defend the Respect of Everyone, for that is what has made this Nation, Our Nation, a Strong Nation. Our nation was built upon the solidarity of diverse groups coming together under the same cause of “Freedom for All” and “One Nation Under G-D”

But this week, as our veterans and fallen hero’s are recognized and remembered for bring us together. Uniting us under the banner of freedom against foreign enemies; we have allowed and we have facilitated, and we have conspired towards the demise of one of our most diverse institutions - scouts.

This week, under pressure from various groups touting themselves as “Defenders of Diversity”; we have learned that their defense is solely for the diversity for which they see within themselves, and not within others. A far cry from our veterans. Our veterans came together from many a diverse group and background. They understood that their strength, our strength is based upon the solidarity of respect between one diverse group towards another. That it is ok to be different, that it is important to be different.

What I understood this past Memorial Day, from our veterans, from my Cub Scouts is that respect and recognition for another group of persons completely outside of ourselves,  is the Trueness of Diversity. The trueness and truth that is America.

Thank You