The Call of the Eagle
I am the voice of the Eagle. I speak for The Eagles whose summit you
have struggled so hard to reach. We remember well when
you first came to the base of our mountain, and how you looked up with
ambition and determination.
Pause for a moment, and look back over the trail you have climbed:
Look back at the adventures you have encountered on your
ascent. These experiences are a valuable teacher if you but heed them.
We remember when you took your first steps upon the
Boy Scout trail.
With your first step you began to start living the Scout Oath and Law.
You began to build yourself, physically, mentally, and
morally. Your brother scouts then called you a Tenderfoot -- and they
were right, for you were indeed a tenderfoot.
But not for long. For as you climbed, you soon reached a turning in
the trail, and you were greeted by a large group of friendly
Second Class Scouts.
Some, like yourself, were stopping to catch their breath, before
continuing along the trail. But you studied more, you worked
harder, you continued your climb, and soon came to another turning,
the place where First Class Scouts dwell. There you found a
green, flowered meadow close by a crystal clear stream, sparkling in
sunshine. Many other scouts rested beside the murmuring
waters. You were tempted to remain. But your ambition spurred you, and
you continued your upward venture.
We next remember your progress when you turned the trail to become a
Star Scout. You found the trail from First Class had
been an optical illusion, not so difficult as it had first seemed.
This inspired you to push onward, to climb higher. But now the trail
was steeper, and less traveled. Fewer Scouts seemed headed in your
direction. You looked back and saw crowds below you.
You looked up, and saw very few above. Yet, with the same
determination as you started your climb, now enhanced by
experience and firm resolve, you continued to push up the trail.
Soon you turned another corner on the trail and the Heart shaped badge
of the Life Scout was placed on your uniform. You will
always recall the thoughts in your heart at this moment, it has been
experienced by all scouts reaching the ledge of Life: "Now I
am close to the Eagle, I will carry on".
But the trail now grows tougher and fainter, many seem to falter along
the way. The original simple principles of the Scout Oath
and Law take on a fuller meaning, as your understanding grows greater.
We have watched your character unfold and become more manly. We have
watched your leadership ability expand into a valuable
asset. We have watched your mind develop and your wisdom increase.
Yes, we have watched all these things in you.
And now, that you are standing at the summit of the trail, in the
glory of sunshine and wind and cloud at the threshold of your
goal, we applaud you and welcome you, for you have done your climbing
in a true Scout-like manner.
Taken From