Boy Scouts Become Heroes

It has often been said that just as there is no such thing as a former Marine, there is also no such thing as a former Boy Scout. Well speaking as a Boy Scout for nearly 30 years I felt obligated to post a little bit about the recent heroics by a group of young Scouts in Iowa.

This week a tornado ripped through a Boy Scout camp in Iowa. The storm killed four of the scouts and caused many injuries. Given that these are just boys, barely into their teens, it would not be at all surprising for them to have reacted with panic or fear.

But that is not what happened with this brave group of men. Echoing the long time Scouting motto “Be Prepared” they quickly sprang into action. Scouts moved to provide first aid to the injured around the camp, becoming the only form of rescue or relief as outside rescuers fought fallen trees to make the mile long trek to the camp.

Iowa Governor Chet Culver has praised the Scouts as true heroes, and I am hard pressed to argue with his assessment.

So the next time you see a group of Scouts out helping the community, take a minute to remember that sometimes these young guys in uniform show some of the heroics of their older brothers.