Now stepping up to the plate….

Posted on May 18, 2012 by BKO

It is still there (last time I went to a game at least)

That is a picture of the fence at the old Turner Field that Hammerin’ Hand Aaron hit his 715th career home run. He had a few nicknames as well Henry Louis “Hank” Aaron , nicknamed “Hammer,” or “Hammerin’ Hank,” he is of course now retured. He was born on February 5, 1934 and currently has 78 years of experience. “I had the Giants’ contract in my hand. But the Braves offered fifty dollars a month more. That’s the only thing that kept Willie Mays and me from being teammates – fifty dollars.”Aaron was the first player to hit 500 home runs and reach 3,000 hits. Oh and by the way he was also a Boy Scout back in the day. Some of the packs must focus on baseball skills as well with the boys. Thank you Mr. Aaron for the marks you left on Major League Baseball and society in general.

An interesting side note is that next month will begin the full 12 month comparisons for my blog – that is to say that June 2011 was my first full month of blogging.  So it will be interesting.  I hope I can continue to increase my readership out there.  Thanks for your help!!!

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Mr. Henry Ross Perot (Eagle Scout)

Posted on May 17, 2012 by BKO

"Eagles don't flock, you have to find them one at a time."

Now wither or not that was a reference to his Eagle Scout status I am not sure. But there is no question that Mr. Henry Ross Perot (June 27, 1930 – 81 years of experience) is an Eagle Scout. He is also known for business activities with IBM, and political action. Even though he ran as a “third party” he polled numbers that matched with and even higher than the two major candidates in 1992 – he also ran for office in 1996. I am convinced that it is due in large part to the cornerstone qualities learned working toward the rank of Eagle Scout that allows people like Mr. Perot to reach such heights in our culture. Thank you Mr. Perot for your mark on our society.

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A Presidential Eagle?

Posted on May 16, 2012 by BKO

"A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have."

There have actually been four total US Presidents that have had rank within the Boy Scouts of America. Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr. is the only one thus far that has obtained the rank of Eagle Scout. He was born on July 14, 1913 and passed away due to arteriosclerotic cerebrovascular disease and diffuse arteriosclerosis on December 26, 2006 – he had a total of 93 years of experience. Like all US Presidents there is discussion on the effectiveness of his time in office – I think all things considered though he did a fine job as US President. And I think my job is stressful sometimes…Thank you Mr. Ford for the mark you left with us all.

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to infinity and beyond….

Posted on May 15, 2012 by BKO

"I guess we all like to be recognized not for one piece of fireworks, but for the ledger of our daily work."


So I am changing the spin just slightly here, I will now begin to post on famous Eagle Scouts in history. Just so we all know an Eagle Scout status is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America. Once obtained it is held for life. Requirements include earning at least 21 merit badges and demonstrating Scout Spirit through the Boy Scout Oath and Law, service, and leadership. And it has to be earned prior to the 18th birthday. So thats a quick scoop on the Eagle Scout. The man pictured above is Neil Armstrong. He is likely best known for being an astronaut and the first person to step foot on the moon. Also another quote of his “…The Eagle has landed”. Certainly the world of Aeronautics and Space say thank you to Mr. Armstrong. As does the community as a whole I am certain.

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Attention Attention!!!

Posted on May 14, 2012 by BKO

"Follow Me Boys"

That seems to be what the Tiger leader may be saying in that photo – (which is also a movie from 1966). While I cant speak for all boys who start at the Tiger level I can speak for the ones I know including my son – they are having fun with a purpose in Scouts. And that each leader must pass through certain required trainings – its all good on that front. We always have a back up plan or a plan B (be prepared) and there is a strong emphasis on shared leadership on the leadership level of Scouting. Of course we also have one of the best Pack families that I have ever been a part of including visits to other Packs as well as the “coffee talk” I hear on such topics. I am blessed to be able to play a part with this Pack of the Boy Scouts of America. Thank you again Scouting.

And one more thing – Happy Mothers Day (yesterday) to you all.  Where would we be without our precious mothers? – so a BIG thank you to the moms for the mark they make on our lives.

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Final Pack Meeting

Posted on May 11, 2012 by BKO

nice dog....friendly dog


The caption is accurate until the trainer gives a command to the contrary. We had our final Pack Meeting of the Scout year last nite and were visited by some of the areas finest police officers with a police dog demonstration. It seems most of them these days are German Malinois. I dont know much about that except that he has been trained well and I do not ever want to be on the bad side of one of those dogs. I hope you never visit that side either. So thank again to the Scouts and to the neighborhood Police force and their willingness to do public demonstrations for us.

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Mr. Smith

Posted on May 10, 2012 by BKO

William or Bill either is fine with me


Sir William Alexander Smith was born on October 27, 1854 and he passed awaw on May 10,1914 – thats 59 years of experience. He was the founder of the Boys’ Brigade, in Scotland. He was a very close friend to Lord Baden-Powell (written on in an earlier post) Mr. Smith convinced Mr. Powell to rewrite his book Aids To Scouting to better suit the younger readers. This rewrite certainly helped Scouting to become what it is today. That book is a good read by the way.
Thank you Sir William Alexander Smith for helping with the rewrite.

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what does it mean to me?

Posted on May 9, 2012 by BKO

this is the first badge you must earn

So Brandon you may ask me “what is this whole scouting thing about you are so hyped up about it?”

Well that is an excellent question.  Officially I suppose the answer would be  ”prepared for life” or possibly “fun with a purpose”.  While those are certainly correct there is a slight backstory as always….In my younger days I was involved in a Cub Scout Pack…of course in those days it certainly stood for babysitters anonymous.  And while some packs are still like that I am certain ours is not.  I will keep our pack number a mystery to you all and simply suggest and recommend that you and some of the local boys find a local pack in your area and pay them a visit and see what you think of it all. What do you have to loose?
Thank you all and thank you BSA for the great marks you have made and continue to make in our country.

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“…and to obey the Law Of The Pack.”

Posted on May 8, 2012 by BKO

I betcha these guys know all about it

It then says ‘and to obey the Law Of The Pack” – The Law Of The Pack says: “The Cub Scout follows Akela. The Cub Scout helps the pack go. The pack helps the Cub Scout grow. The Cub Scout gives goodwill..” I think that covers it all for now at least.

Thank you Scouting again.

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“…to God and my country….”

Posted on May 7, 2012 by BKO

friendly characters

While we do have friendly looking characters for the Tiger, Wolf and Bear levels I am certain they would all agree that the promise “…on my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country….” is critical in helping the youth of our nation to learn some of these critical core components that I feel are needed if some of the good things we know in this country are to continue on.  Now certainly there are many many other factors at play also – Boy Scouts of American is certainly not the only movement working in this direction.  But we do have a pretty good transcript behind us and some rather nice marks on that transcript as well.  We will let it speak for itself.  I will quote from the website for a definition on this one “This phrase means to remember to thank God for good friends, good health, our well-being, our family, and all others who love and help us. Going to worship services is another way of doing our duty to God. We should respect other people’s religious beliefs even if they are different from our own. ” (www.scouting.org)

Again, thank you for the continued good marks BSA is making across the country.

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