Boy Scout Troop 325
Scoutmaster Minute
It's Not How Long You Live, It's How You Live That's Important
April 3, 2001
George Denise, Scoutmaster

Sooner or later, all of us, every one of us, dies. It's inevitable. Have you ever thought about what people would say about you when you die? There was an article on the front page of the San Jose Mercury News today, commemorating a World War II hero who just recently died. His name was Carlos Ogden.

57 years ago, his unit was going up a hill against an 88 mm cannon and two machine guns. The Germans were killing his men. His commanding officer was wounded, leaving Ogden in charge. His men were being killed around him. He took up a grenade launcher and hand grenades and started running up the slope toward the emplacements. The concussion from the 88 mm cannon going off blew out his ear drums. He suffered a wound in his leg. He finally got close enough to fire the grenade launcher, taking out the cannon. Then he threw one of the hand grenades and took out one of the machine gunners. Then he was hit twice in the head and was knocked out momentarily. He was holding a grenade in his hand and had already pulled the pin. Fortunately, he did not let go, and it did not go off. He came to, and was able to throw it and take out the second machine gun. When he motioned for his men to join him, they found him bleeding from the head, leg and arm, but he would not let them treat him. He led them for the rest of that day, until they dug in late that afternoon.

For his heroic acts, Carlos Ogden received the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest award the United States government offers. Carlos later stated: "War is not glamorous. Nobody really wins, but sometimes we get pushed just too far. We have friends we must protect when someone gets pushy. We hve to stand up for ourselves. We have to be strong - then the bully can't push us around."

Carlos Ogden came home to San Jose after the war, but never talked about the war and his medal. He became a counselor for the Veteran's Administration and was active in a variety of youth sports activities, Cub Scouts, and Boy Scouts. He later was appointed to head the California Selective Service Commission by then Governor Ronald Reagan. He was encouraged to run for Congress, but declined because he did not want to give up his counseling work.

Carlos Ogden died at the age of 83. A long time. But it is not how long you live that is important. It is how you live your live that matters. Carlos Ogden made a difference.

Thank you, and may God be with you.