Scout Vespers

Scout Vespers: Softly falls the light of day, While our campfire fades away. Silently each scout should ask: "Have I done my daily task? Have I kept my honor bright? Can I guiltless sleep tonight? Have I done and have I dared In everything to be prepared.?"

We sang it at the conclusion of every Troop 625 meeting. It has been a long while since I thought of these words until Harry Hollis jogged my memory. We ended each Troop meeting with the Scoutmaster's Benediction: "May the Great Master of all Scouts be with you, 'til we meet again"

Have you done your daily task? Have you kept your honor bright?

For many of us, Scouting went far beyond achieving goals, much more than earning merit badges and obtaining the ultimate goal of being an Eagle Scout. For Troop 625 it was building a sense of worth, being a part of something special and gaining respect of our peers.....even though that respect was earned in somewhat dubious ways thanks to 13 year old adolescent hormones raging which sometimes resulted in a fierce spirit of competition! Whenever we attended Camp Coker, boys from other troops found their way to our campsite. Everyone wanted to be associated with 625, as we were understandably atypical of what a "proper" Boy Scout troop was supposed to be. We were rowdy, fought amongst ourselves but Katie bar the door if someone from outside our circle acted against us! We formed lifelong friendships and had many adopted troop members from outside our ranks. I recently ran across a fellow scout from a troop in Florence, Terrell Miller. He spent more time with 625 than he did with his own troop. We had a great time reliving ancient exploits and he revealed why he loved 625 so much. He said that JB was the guy that every scout admired, that he was so much one of us that every scout respected and admired him. I broke down and cried like a child. I hope one day I can be one fifth the man Jackie Johnson was. Thank you once again for being such a huge part of shaping what I am becoming. Your harvest was bountiful.

Wimachtendienk Wingolauchsik Witahemui, my brothers!