An Evening to Remember

 

My son is a Boy Scout and is therefore called to live by the Boy Scout Law, which states:

“A Scout is:

• Trustworthy,
• Loyal,
• Helpful,
• Friendly,
• Courteous,
• Kind,
• Obedient,
• Cheerful,
• Thrifty,
• Brave,
• Clean,
• and Reverent.”

It is important to us to provide opportunities for him to exercise these virtues and to bear witness to and praise him when he embodies them in his life.  Last night I was present for a beautiful moment where he identified with one of these virtues for the first time.

We participated in a flag retiring ceremony with his scout troop.  The evening was cool as the crowd of boys and adults alike circled the fire.  With the troop band striking a patriotic tone, the scene was set for a solemn observance.  The senior scouts began to describe in detail the meaning behind each aspect of the American flag, including the colors: 

• Red symbolizes Hardiness and Valor.
• White symbolizes Purity and Innocence.
• Blue represents Vigilance, Perseverance and Justice.

With the boys holding a large flag stretched flat, one boy cut away the blue field of stars, saying it would be kept intact signifying the unity of our fifty states.  As the scout then separated each stripe from the flag, another read aloud historic details of each of the original thirteen colonies.  Upon completing each reading, yet another scout would step over to the fire, drop the stripe into the flames and render a scout salute.  Once all the stripes were likewise burned, the blue field of stars was laid across the top of the fire.  As the flames began to consume the cloth, the stars let off a slight glow.

Once the flag was completely consumed, all were invited to participate.  Many flags were being retired after being flown to tatters and we lined up to place our piece of the flags into the fire.  We were asked to pause for respect and reflection upon dropping our piece into the flames.  In those moments, I captured the following photo of my son.

His look was serious, his salute poised.  Something was obviously stirring in his mind.  As he stepped near me, I could see his eyes were moist.  I asked him if anything was wrong, to which he replied, “I don’t know.”  He continued to stare at the fire, watching others in a slow procession.  Then I asked, “Are you feeling quiet?”  He gave me a nod and I asked, “Are you feeling patriotic?”  “Yes,” he replied.  I put my arm around his shoulder and told him, “I think what you’re feeling is reverence.  It’s part of the Boy Scout Law.”  I used my phone to look up the word and handed it over to him.  After reading the definition, he acknowledged that was exactly what he was feeling.

I’m blessed to have been present for that singular moment in his life when being an American came to mean more to him than simple birthright.  It is an evening neither of us will ever forget.