by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
“Whenever I travel, people always notice my Boy Scouts of America lapel pin and usually, their first question is ‘Is that still around?’”
Those were the words of Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Chief Scout Executive Bob Mazzuca at Monday’s meeting of the Rotary Club of Jacksonville.
Each year the club sets aside one of its weekly gatherings to honor the local class of new Eagle Scouts. The 2008 group, numbering 256 young men who earned their Eagle Scout badges, was the largest group in North Florida Council history. Last year also marked the sixth consecutive year with more than 200 Eagle Scouts in the class.
Mazzuca was there to not only honor the scouts, but to recognize the contributions made to the local organization by Rotarians and to set the stage for scouting’s centennial celebration next year.
Mazzuca, who took over BSA’s top job in 2007, is an Eagle Scout and has devoted 37 years of his life to the organization. He said scouting in America is alive and well with 4.5 million Boy Scouts and 1.2 million adult volunteers.
He pointed to a table directly in front of the dais and commented on how there were three generations of scouts sitting at that table.
“There have been Eagle Scouts in the Jazz Age and in the Space Age. Generation X, Y or Z, it makes no difference. All Eagle Scouts have a bond that ties them together. While others may be defined by career or age or creed or ethnicity, the brotherhood of Eagle Scouts is defined by character, service and leadership.”
Mazzuca also explained to the group of new Eagle Scouts that their journey was not over, in fact it has just begun.
“I salute your achievement and celebrate your accomplishment,” he said, “But I challenge you as you join the brotherhood of Eagles to live up to the expectations ahead of you because you see, society has every right to expect more of you. You have proven you have the capacity to give more and to do more. Never before in history has America needed the skills that you have mastered more than we do today.”
Mazzuca also said the current generation of Americans may be the first in the history of mankind that won’t be as healthy or live as long as their parents and added, “Scouting can’t solve all problems facing kids today but in partnership with service organizations like Rotary and churches and schools, we can attack some of the issues. Since 1910, we have been turning out kids who are physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight. America needs what scouting has to offer.”
The club’s 2008 Eagle Scout honoree is Ron Autrey, president and COO of Miller Electric. He was recognized for his contributions to the Boy Scouts of America North Florida executive Advisory Board. His father, Buck, received the award in 1999.
“I’m flattered to be among the scout leaders who are doing such great work in North Florida,” said Autrey. “They asked me to say a few words about leadership today, but I think it’s a little redundant to talk to Eagle Scouts about leadership. I will offer this advice: find your guides and mentors to keep you on the right path. Your integrity is how you will be remembered. Be fair, be successful and be honest. Twenty years from now you Eagle Scouts will say you learned leadership in scouting.”
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