As one of the scouts in that room that night I unfortunately have to admit that my memory of this event is foggy… I know what you are thinking how could seeing a nazi flag unfurling in a Midwest church basement possibly become a faded memory. That I cannot answer. I assume it was because I was too young to really understand the gravity of what that flag represented and the evil that that flag had presided over. Also, you have to understand, I had known John since I was in elementary school and understood that if anyone was crazy enough to bring a nazi flag to a scout meeting it was him (and by extension anyone who he might bring to talk to us). As I look back at that striking image, looking through the blacked out eye censor bars to see my old friends holding a nazi flag... I’m glad I was there that day to see that. As an adult I can now truly comprehend the lesson of of that night, that behind the “glamor of war” lies the truth “war is never good, it hurts everyone” and history is not something to be shoved in the back of a closet or destroyed. It needs to be preserved and displayed (under the proper conditions of course). So that we may never forget those events and hopefully prevent them from happening again.
My grandfather was the first scout master in Wilington Del. Over 100 years ago. It used to be an organization dedicated to leading boys into manhood. Now they won't even acknowledge they are men.
Unfortunately Boy Scouts has taken a turn away from its origin...even changed the name. They have forgotten their own history.
"All things open to all people"... if a "thing" is "open"... and "is" a "thing" how does it remain "the thing" that it is when in its "openness" enters in a different "thing" ...
As one of the scouts in that room that night I unfortunately have to admit that my memory of this event is foggy… I know what you are thinking how could seeing a nazi flag unfurling in a Midwest church basement possibly become a faded memory. That I cannot answer. I assume it was because I was too young to really understand the gravity of what that flag represented and the evil that that flag had presided over. Also, you have to understand, I had known John since I was in elementary school and understood that if anyone was crazy enough to bring a nazi flag to a scout meeting it was him (and by extension anyone who he might bring to talk to us). As I look back at that striking image, looking through the blacked out eye censor bars to see my old friends holding a nazi flag... I’m glad I was there that day to see that. As an adult I can now truly comprehend the lesson of of that night, that behind the “glamor of war” lies the truth “war is never good, it hurts everyone” and history is not something to be shoved in the back of a closet or destroyed. It needs to be preserved and displayed (under the proper conditions of course). So that we may never forget those events and hopefully prevent them from happening again.
Oh my word. I wasn't expecting THIS. Indeed, you were there, "Jack W." May all of you play your part as the NEXT "Greatest Generation" too.
Great read !
Good Report !
My grandfather was the first scout master in Wilington Del. Over 100 years ago. It used to be an organization dedicated to leading boys into manhood. Now they won't even acknowledge they are men.
Unfortunately Boy Scouts has taken a turn away from its origin...even changed the name. They have forgotten their own history.
Thank you for the comment. I often wonder what the long-term impact of making all-things open to all-people will be...
"All things open to all people"... if a "thing" is "open"... and "is" a "thing" how does it remain "the thing" that it is when in its "openness" enters in a different "thing" ...
Is there such a "thing" ?