Gary M. Louie
6/1/03
Congratulations to all of you who have advanced or received merit badges tonight! It is a privilege to work with a group of scouts that is so dedicated and enthusiastic!
As dedicated and enthusiastic as you are, I know that much of that is due to the encouragement and support of your mom and dad, and they deserve credit as well! But since next week is Fathers’ Day, I want to take a minute to recognize the relationship between you scouts and your dads.
A father-son relationship is a very special relationship. And I know that some of you may not have dads, so that role is being taken on by your moms. But this relationship is one that should have deep, deep meaning not only now, but in the future for many years to come. I know, because that’s the way it was with my dad and I.
You see, my father just passed away 2 nights ago. He was vacuuming the living room when he suddenly collapsed. Since my mom was outside working in the garden, she did not realize what happened until an hour or so later. But by then, he was already gone.
He was a wonderful dad, a loving & dedicated husband, & a committed man of faith who served God for many years. But he was also my scoutmaster when I was your age.
He was the one who first got me interested in the outdoors. We went family camping and to Scout summer camp for several years together. He taught me not only scout skills, but about life - patience, working with different kinds of people, and how to love others. He was my main role model of what it meant to live out the Scout Oath and Law.
Many of you are just out of Webelos and are still pretty attached to your dads. Many of you are older scouts & are pretty independent from your dads now.
But no matter how young or old you are you are never too old or young to give your dad a hug & tell him you love him. And dads, never let your sons think that growing up means you can stop doing that.
My dad and I would always hug each other whenever we left each other – to express our love to each other, and because we never knew if that was going to be the last time we saw each other.
Many of you think that it's "Not cool" to hug your dad & tell him you love him. Well, if that’s the definition of “cool”, then I want to have nothing to do with “being cool”.
My challenge to you is to treasure the relationship you have with your dad and mom. Scouting is one of the great ways to help that relationship to grow. Don’t hesitate to give your dad a hug and tell him you love him. And dad’s, remember that it’s okay to do the same with your sons.
That’s part of what scouting is all about.
