Scouting

Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thritty, Brave, Clean and Reverent. These are the scout oath and the scout law. My first contact with the Boy Scouts happened in Saskatchewan when I was training for the priesthood. A classmate of mine was camping close to our summer camp with his troop. I was impressed by the cleanliness, cooperation and order of the troop. Some years later, at Greenville, I was invited to the scout troop meetings and again I liked what I saw. Coming to Eagle Lake, Me., in 1957, I was appointed assistant scout master. Three years later when I moved to Stratton, Yaro Koneckny, a veteran scout leader, got me involved on the District Level as Chaplain and later as Unit Commissioner. Our Field Executive was John Eachus and after him, John Cederstrom. I helped the people in town to help our Scout Master who had worked for five years single-handedly to keep the troop alive and active. Practically every summer, I spent a week in summer camp with the troop; the scout master was too busy and too poor to gratify himself that much. We would go to Bomazeen near Waterville on the Belgrade Lakes and one year, I went to Camp Hinds with the Rangeley Troop. I saw to it that they had Mass at the Fall and Spring C&mporees. Nothing, not cold, nor rain, nor wind stopped me. I kept contact with the leaders at the monthly round tables and district meetings. We also had a cub scout pack in Stratton and I did my best to help them too. In recognition for my good will I was given the Scouter’s Key and even the Silver Beaver. Coming back to northern Maine in 1967, I was named Unit Commissioner and Council Chaplain. I am still Council Chaplain and I see to it that the boys have their Mass at the Spring and Fall Camporees. I also join them on outings when I can on weekends and take care of their spiritual needs. In my opinion, scouting is one of the best educational organizations we have. A boy reaching Eagle rank has the equivalent of two years in college in general knowledge. He has leadership, he can take care of himself and others in any circumstances. He is a real asset in any position he may