“On my Honor I will do my best to:

Do my duty to God and my country

To obey the Scout laws

To help other people at all times

To keep myself physically strong

Mentally awake and morally straight.”

Since its founding in 1910, over 100 million youths have joined the ranks of “The Boy Scouts of America” and memorized these 39 words.

Words which speak of one making a voluntary pledge based solely on their “Personal Honor.” A pledge in which one promises to fulfill their personal spiritual and civic duties, to constantly seek ways to serve their fellow human beings and commit to growing in their own physical, intellectual and moral stature.

Though the concept of a binding pledge based solely on one’s Personal Honor is often a rare commodity in today’s society, it is found in scripture, Arthurian legend and permeates all cultures including those of Rome, Greece and the Americas as stated by an un-named tribal elder with the following words. “Honor the sacred. Honor the Earth, our Mother. Honor the Elders. Honor all with whom we share the Earth...”

The leadership of Grand Coulee’s Boy Scout Troop 24 continues to share these time-honored values of citizenship, fitness and integrity with the youth of our communities … thus the purpose for this note.

Within the last few weeks, local residents and businesses have received letters from Troop 24 requesting financial donations to assist them in their efforts. This afternoon I was honored to place our donation in the mail and would like to take this opportunity to challenge my neighbors and fellow businesses, “Be Prepared” to “Do a Good Turn” and mail your contribution to: Grand Coulee BSA Troop 24, 531 Wetzel Street, Grand Coulee, WA 99133.

James Heuvel

Strate Funeral Home, Grand Coulee