Boy Scout Troop 325
Scoutmaster Minute
Virginia Tech
April 17, 2007
Larry Polyak, Scoutmaster

I assume you have all heard about the tragedy that occurred at Virginia Tech yesterday. The story has a huge headline in today's paper. Is is the worst shooting incident in U.S history. It's hard to know what to say when something like this happens. To call it senseless seems like an understatement. I usually don't even read the articles on things like this, it just makes me too sick to know the details. But I forced myself to read this story today because I wanted to talk to you tonight about it.

In the story, it mentions a 20 year old student named Trey Perkins who was in the classroom when the shootings took place. When the gunman walked away, Perkins and two others got the door shut and held it closed with their feet. While others were panicking and jumping out of windows to get away, Perkins tried to remain calm. He went around the room bandaging the wounds of fellow students, using his own sweater in one case and a sweatshirt he found on a desk. Trey Perkins is an Eagle Scout. Obviously, his training and experience paid off. His efforts are remarkable. I am sure we will be hearing more about him in upcoming stories.

The Boy Scout motto is "Be Prepared". We learn first aid skills, knot tying, lifesaving skills. I was glad to read about Trey Perkins and the fact that he stepped up when necessary.

What strikes me even more about this whole tragedy though, is what none of us ever seem to be prepared for. The person responsible must have been very mentally disturbed. I am sure there must have been signs in his behavior. But nothing was done. No one he knew was prepared to deal with it.

Not all injuries result in bleeding or in broken bones. Not all sicknesses can be fixed by first aid. Some illnesses are in the mind. Please know that there are lots of resources to deal with such illnesses. If you ever know of someone suffering from severe depression, anxiety, or uncontrollable anger, tell someone about it. There are many ways to help people with such illnesses. Maybe they can get some help. No one should get to the breaking point and cause such a terrible disaster.

In honor of the 33 people who were killed yesterday, let's have 33 seconds of silence.

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Please remember the victims and their families in your prayers.

Thanks for listening.