Boy Scout Troop 325
Scoutmaster Minute
The Meaning Of Character
Nick Chloupek Eagle Court Of Honor
August 21, 2005
George Denise, Scoutmaster

I recently had the pleasure of attending the National Boy Scout Jamboree in Carolina County, Virginia. The national jamboree is held once every four years and is typically attended by some 40,000 to 50,000 scouts and scouters. This was my fourth jamboree as an adult leader; my fifth counting the one I attended as a scout in 1960. For each of these jamborees, we have included a tour of some of the more significant sites that have played a prominent role in the development of our nation. Nick attended the National Jamboree with me 1997. One of the sites of historic interest we visited then is Arlington National Cemetery. Probably the most important site within Arlington is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier honors those soldiers who have paid the ultimate price for their country. They have given their life in war, but their remains were never identified; in many cases never found. The unknown soldiers buried in this tomb represent the missing and unknown service members for four different wars. Being buried at Arlington gives their families a place to grieve and pray. The guards who stand watch over this memorial do so in humble reverence, ensuring they rest in peace.

Each time we have visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, our tour guides have told us how the guards take 21 steps across the tomb to allude to the twenty-one gun salute, which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary, that they hesitate for 21 seconds before doing an about face for the same reason, that the rifle is carried on the shoulder facing away from the tomb, and that the physical traits of the guards are limited to those who are between 5' 10" and 6' 2" tall and they must have a waist that does not exceed 30".

We were also told that they must commit two years of their life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives. They cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform {fighting} or the tomb in any way.

After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn. The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin.

I was very impressed by this last part, the quality of character a guard must demonstrate in order to be chosen to guard the tomb, and the commitment he must make for the rest of his life. I felt guilty that I would not be able to meet that test, not even when I was 18.

But it turns out this last part is false! The average tour of duty is one year, not two. The Sentinels live either in a barracks on Ft. Myer (the Army post located adjacent to the cemetery) or off base if they like. They do have living quarters under the steps of the amphitheater where they stay during their 24 hour shifts, but when they are off, they are off. If they are of legal age, they may drink anything they like, except while on duty. And some of them undoubtedly swear from time-to-time. Again, they should refrain from doing so while in uniform and on duty. They are expected to set a good example, and they are chosen from among the very best. But they are also human. They too have made mistakes, and will undoubtedly make them again. In other words, they are human, with all the frailties of humanity.

You, Nick, have achieved Boy Scouting's highest award, that of Eagle Scout. You completed all of the requirements for seven ranks, a minimum of twenty-one merit badges including 11 specific Eagle required, you held positions of leadership, and you completed a project of significant benefit to the community with the help of others. You have done all that is required. You need do no more. Your life is your own. You will always be an Eagle.

But like the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, you know that you achieved this honor because you demonstrated more than others. You have completed all that you need to complete to achieve this honor. But others now recognize you as someone of character. They expect more of you. More importantly, you know that you have achieved more; you know you are an Eagle, and you will always expect more of your self because of this. You are human, with all of our frailties. You may drink and smoke and swear, so to speak, "when you are off duty," if you so choose. Your Eagle will never be taken away from you because of it. But you will always know when you do so, that you are not living up to what the Eagle represents. Character, then is not something you have achieved. It is something you strive to live up to. You will have successes and you will failures. But you will always know you are an Eagle, and you will always strive harder because of it. I wish you a good journey.

Thank you, and God be with you.