Eagle Scoutmaster Minute

July 9, 2017

Let’s talk about one:

One is the loneliest number. By itself. Alone.

A number times one remains unchanged.

One is the first whole number. It’s more than nothing. One is NOT Zero.                                              

One is “on” in binary (computer) code.

One (hydrogen) is the most abundant chemical element in the universe. It’s the stuff stars are made of. It’s pure power. It’s critical to our survival.

One is unity: E Pluribus Unum is Latin for “Out of Many, One.”

One man dreamed of changing a country; MLK
One man’s vision sent other men to the moon; JFK
One redeemed mankind; Jesus

One percent of boys become Eagle Scouts.

The Eagle Award is not meant for people who need to be dragged across the finish line. It’s meant for a select few… Only one out of a hundred Scouts make Eagle… doing something extraordinary can be very lonely, and most people simply aren’t cut out for it. Being an Eagle Scout requires you to be different than most everyone around you, and being different is really, really hard. That’s why the award is called “an accomplishment.”

As we heard from the Trail to Eagle, you have taken the road less traveled. Your journey has been a long one and it does not end today, but will be with you throughout your lives. You have stored many memories along the way and learned many life skills. It has not been a smooth journey, but life is not smooth. To borrow from Charles Dickens “A Tale of Two Cities”, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”

For those who joined as Tiger Cubs, you have spent over half your lifetime in the pursuit of a single goal. Think what you will do in the future knowing whatever you set your sights on, you will be capable of achieving.

Looking at our Troop, I don’t see anyone who is part of the 99; all I see is the One (look around, look boys in the eye, call them by name, make it personal).

So, scout's, choose to be different. Choose to be that one percent. And be one.

Mr. Jim Gnadinger

Scoutmaster