A color guard is one way to do one's duty to one’s country, which is just what the Delphian School’s Dragon Patrol did on Memorial Day. Half mast in the morning. Up to the block at noon. And respectfully retrieved in the evening. Then off to Sheridan’s Greencrest Memorial Park to retrieve flags, placed earlier in the day, from the graves of veterans.
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Delphian’s Dragon Patrol retrieves Old Glory, setting a good example for how to do one’s duty to one’s country. |
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is an American federal holiday observed annually on the last Monday of May. Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States armed forces. First known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War, when the ancient tradition of decorating soldiers’ graves with flowers became a national passion after this nation’s deadliest war. In total deaths the Civil War ranks as the worst in American history. By the 20th century, the rechristened Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died in all of the nation’s wars.
The Boy Scout Oath
On my honor, I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.
The Boy Scout Oath has traditionally been considered to have three promises. Those three promises are delineated by the semicolons in the Oath, which divide it into three clauses. The three promises of the Scout Oath are, therefore:
- Duty to God and country,
- Duty to other people, and
- Duty to self
Duty to God and country
One’s family and religious leaders teach the knowledge of and service to God. The founders of American scouting wrote in the very first scout handbook, “A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.” By following these teachings, a scout does his duty to God.
Men and women of the past worked to make America great, and many gave their lives for their country. By being a good family member and a good citizen, by working for your country's good and obeying its laws, you do your duty to your country. Obeying the Scout Law means living by its 12 points: Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent. Often a 13th point – Hungry – is added in humor.
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Retrieving and properly folding the American flag is a rank advancement in both Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. This ceremony is a daily affair at the Delphian School. |
Duty to other people
Many people need help. A cheery smile and a helping hand make life easier for others. By doing a Good Turn (deed) daily and helping when needed, a scout proves himself and does his part to make this a better world.
Duty to self
Keeping physically strong means taking care of the body. Eat the right foods and build strength. Staying mentally awake means learn all one can, be curious, and ask questions. It means avoid drugs and alcohol. Being morally straight means to live one’s life with honesty, to be clean in speech and actions, and to be a person of strong character.
For more information about scouting opportunities at the Delphian School, contact Tom Wright at 800.626.6610.
What do the two stars on the Scout symbol stand for? Ask any scout!
