THE MOST IMPORTANT WORD "The Scout Law" defines twelve words as the foundations for direction and

action in the life of a Scout. It reads as follows... A Scout is Trustworthy Loyal Helpful Friendly Courteous Kind Obedient Cheerful Thrifty Brave Clean and Reverent I and my fellow scouts each seemed to have a different answer as to which was most important. We were all wrong. I am paraphrasing, here, in the way that I deliver this same talk with "my" scouts, today. "Men," - we were boys, but Earhardt Theune always called us "men" - "there are sixteen words in the Scout Law - not twelve. The most important is the word "IS"." "A Scout is not 'somewhat' Trustworthy - he IS trustworthy, with no equivocation. He is not occasionally loyal, to some of his friends. He IS Loyal, to the brotherhood of Scouting. He IS always helpful, and seeks opportunities to be so." "A Scout is never a fair-weather friend - he IS Friendly, even to friends he hasn't met, yet. When you clean your camp-site as we prepare to leave, you are being friendly to someone who shares your trail - someone you may never meet - but it is your obligation as a Scout to be so. This is also what it means to be Courteous - and a Scout IS Courteous." "A Scout IS Kind. Kind to others, kind to animals, kind to the planet on which he lives. He thinks of others before himself." "A Scout IS Obedient. He doesn't stray from the direction of his leaders. He honors his parents, his teachers, and his fellow men, by obeying the rules of the society in which we live."

"A Scout IS Cheerful. Life is a gift - recognize it as one, and celebrate this. A Scout is also expected to bring good will to others...in word, and in deed." "A Scout IS Thrifty - he applies economy in his life. He does not wantonly waste that with which he is invested. He is a steward, of his health, his finances, and of the world in which he lives." "A Scout IS Brave. Bravery is hard for some to understand. "Courage" is an absence of fear. To be Brave is to be afraid, but to go forward and do what needs to be done in spite of that fear. A Scout will not shrink from a challenge, and will not allow his fear to rule his life. He takes ownership of that fear, and fights it - and, being true to his values - he will defeat it. His own will and strength of character always prevail. He IS Brave." "A Scout IS Clean. He maintains his person, and his belongings, with care. He is also clean in a moral sense - keeping high standards." "A Scout IS Reverent. He is free to worship as he sees fit, and as he was taught by his parents - but reverent is not 'religious' - it is 'respectful'. This is a higher standard in word and in deed than "courteous". Respectful of others. Respectful and tolerant of differences. A Scout is but one of a brotherhood of many. He is REVERENT as concerns the rights of all Scouts. He does not discriminate." "A Scout IS ALL of these things - not some of them, and not some of the time. A Scout IS a Scout, all day, every day. It is not something you take off with the uniform. It lives inside you. It is who you are. You take an oath to obey the Scout Law. Own that." "Remember that, men. A Scout IS a Scout." Earhardt Theune, Scoutmaster, Troop 118, West Long Branch, New Jersey - at a campfire at Forestburg Scout Reservation in the summer of our Bicentennial Year - 1976. And, for "my" Scouts - remember - "Teach, as you were taught - LEAD, as you were led." Frederick John LaVergne, Scoutmaster 2008-2009, Troop 19, Delanco, New Jersey