Boy Scout Troop 325
Scoutmaster Minute
Thanksgiving 2006
November 21, 2006
Larry Polyak, Scoutmaster

It seems like just last year when I was standing up here giving a SM Minute about Thanksgiving. The year has certainly flown by.

At our house, before thanksgiving meal, we go around the table and we each say something we are thankful for. Sometimes it's hard to think of something on the spot. So if you do the same thing, think a little beforehand about what you have to be thankful for.

In our country, where we seem to have an abundance of everything, we sometimes take things for granted. Instead of being thankful for what we have, we just want more. A few years ago, I was working on the design of a medical device and the company funding the project had some Russion doctors come to the U.S. for a preview of it. Before they went back, they were given a short tour of the area which included a quick stop at a Safeway. They were overwhelmed by the abundance of goods. Some of them refused to believe that this was everywhere, and that they had witnessed just a normal day at the market. They thought that all the food and produce had been setup as a special display just for them.

But we have so much day in and day out, it is easy to forget. There is nothing wrong with wanting more and working hard to acheive more. In fact, that is one of the things that makes America great. But let's not forget to take this time to reflect on our good fortunes and give thanks for what we have.

Personally, I only need to look around the room. I am thankful to be here and to have the opportunity to be your Scoutmaster. I am having a lot of fun. I am thankful that our troop has a great troop committee and chairman. I am thankful for all the ASMs and leaders that volunteer to help with meetings and outings. I am thankful for the parents who volunteer to help and to drive, and who spend their hard earned money so that you can be here.

And of course I am thankful for all of you scouts. Yes - even you <name>! I know that there a lot of things you'd probably rather be doing right now than standing here and listening to me. And I am particulary thankful for our older scouts who last week and tonight helped to inform and teach you guys about things they have learned in their own scouting careers. Have a good Thanksgiving holiday.

Thanks for listening.