684 We Want More

As a father of six boys I always appreciated the values espoused and taught by the Boy Scouts of America.  I did all that I could to encourage them in scouting activities and of course their mom was also very supportive.  We were blessed to live in a ward where scouting was important, especially for the older boys.  Each one of them progressed through the ranks and earned their Eagle Scout Award. Iris can proudly display six miniature Eagle pins on her lapel and has done so on a few occasions.  I'm not sure how many other mothers can make the same claim, but they are few and far between, I'm sure.  This past weekend we were in Las Vegas visiting with Philip and his family and as I was in his office at the Las Vegas Area Council I saw this cute photo collection of Philip as a young scout.  It was proudly positioned in his office and I'm sure serves to bring back many great memories.  I remember when Philip as twelve or thirteen I spent the week with him and Troop 684 of the Montpelier Third Ward at Camp Little Lemhi up by Palisades Reservoir.  We all had great and memorable time, but little did I realize then how it would play out.  As a part of our final campfire program each troop was to come up with an original skit and a troop yell.  I helped a little bit with the yell.  It went something like this:

We came to Little Lemhi,

   And stately were the pines.

We came to Little Lemhi

To have real good time.

684 we want more.

684 we want more.

Time has flown by and it has been nearly thirty years since that particular camp out.  Little did I realize where the scouting program would take my boys.  The values they learned, shared, and now teach by example and in their roles in the scouting program have been a priceless asset to them and their families.  I shall forever be grateful to all who contributed of their time and shared their values and skills with my boys.  After all these years, I think they still take pride in being Eagle Scouts and in raising their arms to the square, giving the scout sign, and repeating the Scout Oath:

"On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country, to help other people at all times, to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight."

 I hope I got that straight from my memory of long ago when I first learned the Scout Oath. All of us , scouts or not, would do well to follow this oath each and every day of our lives.

Here is Philip now in his office At the Las Vegas Area Council where he helps to further the values of scouting to thousands and thousands of youth and their leaders in the Las Vegas area.  We are proud of our scouts, each and every one.  I think Philip and Stephen would be the first to thank their older brother, Jason, for setting the example and pointing them along this important path.  Their influence reaches far beyond the badge on their uniform or the chair in their office.  We are proud of all of our scouts and scouters, including the boys' sister, Alison, who now espouses those same values in her position as Cubmaster in her ward here in Cache Valley.  The yell was: 684 We want more.  They got it and now they are passing it on.  What more could parents ask of their sons and daughter.