Show c N Boy Scout Week February 7 13 Sixty years ago alO a unique program for boys came to America It was a combination combination com com- of education physical fitness patriotism moral and character guidance guidance guidance gui gui- dance and outdoor lore Chartered as asI I the Boy O Scouts u of America by y the Congress Congress Con Con- gress e of t the United n t t States t It w was se J given givena a a mandate to promote the ability of boys to do things f for r themselves and others to train them in In Scout Scout- craft to teach them patriotism courage courage cour cour- age self-reliance self and kindred virtues Today over five million boys are enrolled enrolled en en- rolled In the Boy Scouts bf of America and enthusiasm for scouting has not diminished To be sure there are critics who say that in this age of unrest and protest there Is no place for the old old- fashioned Norman Rockwell copybook maxim-flag maxim waving patriotism that there Is no place for a youth organization organization organ organ- that emphasizes self reliance courage and kindred virtues such J as those expressed in the Scout Oath and Law that Scouting Is not relevant t to today's social problems To all this we are tempted to employ employ em em- ploy the classic response of General McAuliffe at Bastogne This nation would Indeed be In a terrible condition If our youth were brought up in a society that had bad no use for the very principles principles prin prin- that prepare our youth for their future role as responsible citizens There Is not enough emphasis on self reliance courage and kindred virtues today This Is what made the pioneers carve a nation out of the wilderness and H Jt Is the same Ingredient that is needed to tomake tomake tomake make an impact in the hard-core hard inner inner- city and the opportunity low-opportunity areas of rural America Scouting has a large stake In AmerIcas AmerIca's Americas America's Americas America's Amer Amer- ica's future just as It has had in the past On the occasion of their anniversary Boy Scout Week February 7 13 lets let's all join together to honor this great organization for its unparalleled service to boyhood in this great country country country coun coun- try we all revere and cherish |