Legacy of Honor
I just finished reading Legacy of Honor by Alvin Townley. A parent in the troop let me read his copy.It's a fun book to read with lots of short stories to ponder. Mr. Townley spent many months interviewing Eagle Scouts across the country and compiling their stories into his book. Throughout these personal accounts, what it means to be an Eagle Scout is presented in individual views and a consistent thread throughout all the stories.
I'd highly recommend every adult involved with Scouting take the time to read this book. As a Scoutmaster that did not participate in Boy Scouts as a youth, it gave me great insight into the lasting impact gained from the Eagle rank. The virtues of great men that have earned the rank and then gone on to participate in society are a great reminder of what our goals as Scouters needs to be.
One of the best things about the book for me was how it addressed the question about whether an Eagle Scout makes the man or the man was there all along. I gained in my conviction that participation in Scouting and attaining goals, such as Eagle, will not create a man but will influence, guide, and strengthen a youth's character through exercising and practicing important skills and values. The great men exposed in Legacy of Honor would probably have done great things even if Scouting was not offered to them, but their time spent in Scouting allowed them an opportunity to expand their abilitites and prepare for their life as adults.
In my view, there are a few parts where the stories get dry and somewhat monotonous but it was interesting to learn more about important men in all areas of society with a common background thread. This would be a great gift for an Eagle Scout, but don't be disappointed if he doesn't devour the whole book in a weekend. It is a good resource for reading later on - maybe give it to a Scout you know that just graduated from college and is in a position to get back involved with Scouts.
Scout On
Posted: 21:36 08-28-2008 355
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