What we do in life echoes in eternity!

I attended the 2001 National Meeting of the Boy Scouts of America this past May.  A young man named Evan Todd, an Eagle Scout and hero of the Columbine tragedy spoke at one of the meetings and was later was presented the Young American Award at the closing banquet. 

As Evan spoke I was struck by his bravery.  Not only the bravery required to heroically help other students after being shot in the face, but also to speak to a room full of 2000 plus adults and share with them some insights that would make them squirm and feel uncomfortable.  He said, for example:

Our nation has always had guns. Our nation has always had children. What our nation hasnt always had is children killing children or their parents, and parents murdering children. The ingredient that has made America different is the past couple of generations and their change in attitude toward what is right and wrong, good and evil. It appears to me that our society is confused.

The adult world seems as a ship with no rudder, being cast around by the wind and storms of our times, with no control or understanding as to why. Many of these storms appear to have been caused of their own accord. Its as if our adult society has no compass, no bearing, and no standards for our society. I have found them confused. Even at my age, I can discern the difference between what you say and what you do...

Evan spoke with great conviction and I thought to myself He reminds me of the character Maximus, the general, in the movie Gladiator, who was faced with the challenge to bring Rome back to the dream held by many when it became a republic.  Like the heroic character he resembled as he stood squarely and defiantly, Evan Todd was urging us to return to the values and the moral compass that made our nation strong. 

I took out a calling card and wrote the word Gladiator on the back to remind myself of my thoughts at that moment.  I intended to write Evan a letter when I returned.

Following the final program, which provided the opportunity to see Evan Todd, awarded the Young American Award; I enjoyed seeing many old friends and the fellowship that follows such events.  As I started back to my hotel I saw Evan standing alone at the top of the escalator.  I walked over to him, introduced my self and told him how much I enjoyed his speech and how proud I was of his willingness to deliver a much-needed message. 

He beamed and I could see the conviction in his eyes.  I remembered the card in my pocked and told him that while listening to him I thought of the main character in the movie Gladiator.  I showed him the card with the one word written on it and asked him if he had seen the movie.

He said that it was his favorite movie and then with that look of determination and without hesitation perfectly quoted General Maximus as he spoke to his men prior the battle with the barbarians.   Brothers, what we do in life echoes in eternity. 

What we do in life echoes in eternity.  What a noble thought.  And what a noble young man who provides a role model for us all and who was thoughtful enough to recall that most significant moment, the essence of a film about character and then obviously adopt it as a guide for his own life.

I often ask myself, during this most difficult and challenging time in our history, do we Scouters realize the impact we have on the lives of those who are touched by Scoutings values?  Do we understand how important it is that we are successful in bringing the very values, upon which this country was founded, into the lives of boys and young men and women?  Do we realize the impact we can have on the future of our country and the world as we provide a moral compass for our youth.

Brothers, what we do in life echoes in eternity.

John O. Thurston

August, 2001