Saturday, July 04, 2015
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Gerald R. Ford (1913-2006)
The death of Gerald R. Ford, the 38th president of these United Startes of America not only represents the passing of a part of my childhood but a loss for me personally. President Ford and and myself have one thing in common, we were both boy scouts though in different eras of the BSA. President Ford was an Eagle Scout while I only made it up to Life Scout. Like most boys who grew up with Scouting, President Ford used the values he learned from scouting in applying in his life.
When he pardoned Richard M. Nixon for the deeds of Watergate, he knew in advanced that this act could cost him re-election and repercussions for his politcal party. Yet he did in because 1) it was good for the United States by moving forward from Watergate instead of the good of himself or the GOP and 2) he was looking into the Big picture. Most people (myself included) are guilty of looking into the short-term/tactical picture of how we approach everyday life.
I believe that scouting has lost a good friend in Gerald R. Ford and will feel his absence in the years to come. The grave of Lord Baden-Powell has a Boy Scout Trail sign for "I have gone home." Farewell Eagle Scout and Mr. Present, Welcome Home!
When he pardoned Richard M. Nixon for the deeds of Watergate, he knew in advanced that this act could cost him re-election and repercussions for his politcal party. Yet he did in because 1) it was good for the United States by moving forward from Watergate instead of the good of himself or the GOP and 2) he was looking into the Big picture. Most people (myself included) are guilty of looking into the short-term/tactical picture of how we approach everyday life.
I believe that scouting has lost a good friend in Gerald R. Ford and will feel his absence in the years to come. The grave of Lord Baden-Powell has a Boy Scout Trail sign for "I have gone home." Farewell Eagle Scout and Mr. Present, Welcome Home!
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