In search of direction and a sense of generational superiority, one brave 25 year old sets out to become an Eagle Scout. With her father's 1961 scout handbook to guide her, she will complete each scout task, and hold a ceremony to celebrate her ascendancy into the honored realm of Eagle Scoutdom. Along the way, she will let you in on all of the delightfully backwards ideas, directives and pictures from the handbook. (Also, there will likely be some reflections on the hidden wonder of the scout system, and lessons I've learned - but you can always scroll down through these.) Join me.
I think, that when I get there, I would like to be hoisted and greeted like our country’s flag:
“You will want to greet it to show your love for it - by saluting it if you are in uniform, by holding your right hand over your heart if you are in civilian clothes”
“You should know that the flag is never used for drapery (use red, white and blue bunting instead)” I should know that.
If you would like to feel insignificant for a moment, check out all of the days of the year you are supposed to fly a flag. From dawn!
New Year’s Day, Inauguration Day, Lincoln’ Birthday, Washington’s Birthday, Armed Forces Day, Easter Sunday, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day (half-staff until noon), Father’s Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Constitution Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, the birthday of states, and State holidays. Phew!
This is why I have no upper arm strength! I have not been raising the flag on all of these many celebratory days! And now that I know that “joy is indicated by the flag at full staff” (teehee) I will have a better appreciation for what’s going on with the many flags about town.
