I had the great honor of being invited to witness an Eagle Scout Ceremony today. Though I was vaguely aware this is the highest rank which can be achieved by a Boy Scout I had no idea it was such a big deal.
There were more politicians than family and audience in this small auditorium in south Yonkers.
The newly elected county executive, the past Democratic county executive, represents from both the Yonkers city council and the Westchester County board of legislators, as well as letters from Governor Coumo and the National Boy Scout office all praising this young 17 year old whom I have known for several years.
Presidents, athletes, astronauts, captains of industry, actors, lawyers and judges -- Gerald Ford, Hank Aaron, Bill Bradley, Neil Armstrong, Richard Gere, Jimmy Stewart, Alberto Salazar - have all received this honor and gone on the lead productive lives of public service.
My young friend was fitted with neckerchiefs and pins and badges and belt buckles and salutations and proclamations indicating November 12th to be his day in Westchester County. It will no doubt be a ceremony and day he will remember always. While I often eschew ceremony in some ways I realize the value of the ritual to "make special" ; to mark the passage of an event; to give meaning to the march of our days - baptism, communion, graduation, birthdays, wedding, funerals - the cycle of life remembered, photographed savored so that we are momentarily more than just a tiny blip in the map of the cosmos.
There were more politicians than family and audience in this small auditorium in south Yonkers.
The newly elected county executive, the past Democratic county executive, represents from both the Yonkers city council and the Westchester County board of legislators, as well as letters from Governor Coumo and the National Boy Scout office all praising this young 17 year old whom I have known for several years.
Presidents, athletes, astronauts, captains of industry, actors, lawyers and judges -- Gerald Ford, Hank Aaron, Bill Bradley, Neil Armstrong, Richard Gere, Jimmy Stewart, Alberto Salazar - have all received this honor and gone on the lead productive lives of public service.
My young friend was fitted with neckerchiefs and pins and badges and belt buckles and salutations and proclamations indicating November 12th to be his day in Westchester County. It will no doubt be a ceremony and day he will remember always. While I often eschew ceremony in some ways I realize the value of the ritual to "make special" ; to mark the passage of an event; to give meaning to the march of our days - baptism, communion, graduation, birthdays, wedding, funerals - the cycle of life remembered, photographed savored so that we are momentarily more than just a tiny blip in the map of the cosmos.
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