Defense Secretary Praises Scouts for Achievements

American Forces Press Service ^ | Samantha L. Quigley

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2007 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told a small group of Boy Scouts they were on the right track, during a meeting at the Pentagon yesterday.

“Congratulations for the awards that you’ve gotten (and for) being chosen to do this,” Gates told the eight Scouts representing the Boy Scouts of America’s various programs and regions of the country.

The group was in town to present the organization’s annual report to the nation. The report is mandated by the organization’s congressional charter, Renee Fairrer, the National Council’s associate director of communications, said.

The group presented Gates with a copy of the report, as well as a framed patriotic painting depicting a Scout. The secretary made his own presentation of Defense Department mementoes, one of which -- a DoD flashlight -- was a particular hit.

Gates attained the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America and earned the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award before graduating from high school. Upon assuming his current position within DoD, however, he resigned his membership on the Boy Scouts national board as well as his presidency of the National Eagle Scouts Association, which he’d held since 1996.

“Scouting obviously means a lot to me,” Gates said.

Tayler McGillis, 12, was sporting a chest full of more than 70 merit badges.

“Tayler, you’re cut out for big things,” Gates said. “I didn’t have that many by a long shot.”

The annual trip to the nation’s capital is an opportunity for exceptional Scouts to learn more about their government, Fairrer said.

“Each year we bring a delegation of young people that represent different programs and different areas of the country to get a behind-the-scenes look at Washington and what happens, and the leaders who make Washington … run,” she said. “These represent some of the best Boy Scouting has to offer.”

Ashton Pruitt fits that bill. The 15-year-old received the highest award the Boy Scouts offer for meritorious action, Fairrer said.

“During Hurricane Katrina my family stayed,” Pruitt said. “The water started rushing through the house, so I helped my grandmother, my legally blind brother, my mother, and also my uncle, get out of the house and get on the neighbor’s roof.”

The family members remained on the roof until firefighters rescued them 19 hours later, he said.

Pruitt attributes his actions that day, at least in part, to his Boy Scout training, some of which was very recent. “The week prior to this incident we went on a camping aquatics weekend, where I got the swimming merit badge and learned how to use pants as a flotation device,” he said.

Since arriving in Washington on Feb. 24, the group had seen some of the city and presented its report to President Bush. They had a tour of the White House and several other events ahead of them before leaving for their respective homes tomorrow.

Pruitt said the group had enjoyed all of its activities, especially meeting Gates. “It’s always good to meet other people who were in Boy Scouts and grew up to be very successful in life,” he said.

Biographies:
Robert M. Gates

Related Sites:
Boy Scouts of America
2006 Boy Scouts of America Report to the Nation

[SandRat]

BOY SCOUTS AT THE PENTAGON The Boy Scouts of America present a gift to Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates after presenting a copy of their "Report to the Nation" at the Pentagon, Feb. 26, 2007. Defense Dept. photo by Cherie A. Thurlby

[SandRat]

[Trainer]

EAGLE SCOUT (Class of 78) PING!

My question is: Why did he resign? Anyone?

[SandRat]

Just my guess mind you -- So that they could keep the Lawyers and ACLU from claiming foul under the phony made up separation of church and state clause in the Constitution ---- that ain't there!

[Trainer]

I think it is more like the gay issue..than the religious issue.

[SandRat]

Could be,... it's always one or the other.

[TexanToTheCore]

I like Gates. He is a no BS kind of guy.

[bnelson44]

Since the BSA uses some DoD resources and property and has a number of contractual arrangements with the DoD, it would be a conflict of interest.

[bnelson44]

BSA Tribute to the Military

http://www.bsalegal.org/downloads/bsa_military_tribute.swf

[Trainer]

As one of my Scouts would say "A Most Rightous Tribute!"

[bert]

......Tayler McGillis, 12, was sporting a chest full of more than 70 merit badges. ....

That verges on motherly child abuse and lax district supervision of the counselor process.

[RonF]

Yeah, it is a little suspicious.

[SandRat]

Agreed,... or a Troop that's running a Merit Badge Factory. The Unit Commish and the Dist Commish need to talk to the unit about it or they knew and accepted it the Council Exec and Council Commish need to talk to all of them from the Dist Exec and Chair on down.

[JLJ]

Mrs. McGillis has taught all three of my boys science classes for years. Let me assure everyone that while she sets high standards that motivate and encourage one to give their all, she's not abusive in her approach for excellency.

Our oldest two sons successfully began taking college credit science classes at the ages of 14 and 16, I believe in part to the wonderful instruction they received from Tayler's mom. She is not the type of person who would let her students or her son receive anything they did not work for or earn.

Did anyone stop to think that perhaps Tayler is an exceptional kid with supportive parents? I know this to be true. He is a go getter type of kid.

Did you also know that this kid has collected over 16,000 lbs of aluminum to help build Habitat for Humanity homes?

Perhaps you didn't know that Tayler crossed over into Boy Scouts a year early because of his advanced intelligence and motivation. This kid could and did properly earn his merit badges. While it may seem over the top to have earned that many merit badges, it is not impossible with a kid like Tayler.

It is an insult to suggest that Tayler's unit and district is lax on standards and supervision.