Today I was contacted by one of my fellow Badger Boys Staters and he was wondering how my school year was going, when I was going to be back home and such. I told him about the situation regarding Dan. He said he was so sorry for all that has happened. He was flabbergasted by the situation and the way authorities and others have acted in this situation, after all that I said has happened since he went missing.
He began asking about what Dan was like and who he was. I mentioned our common thread Boys State. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Boys State, It is a program put on by the American Legion. It is where some of the best high school juniors in a given state come together for one week and simulate their own state and learn about state politics. It is a place where you learn about leadership, poltics, friends and alot about who you are as a person and what you are called to do. It is amazing what you can learn and acomplish with 800 of the best and brightest boys in a state all together for just one week. when we were talking about Dan and his situation I mentioned that he was an Eagle Scout and a fellow boys stater.
At this revelation I begin to think. My friend who had called me, Dan and myself are all Eagle Scouts and Boys staters. I then thought of a few others that showed up to volunteer the past few weeks, that were also Eagle Scouts or former Boy Scouts. One of the people from Virgina that has been helping out alot was also a boys stater and went to Boys Nation to represent the state of Minnesota. I took a second and said wow. We all in our own ways came to answer the call to help in the cause just as Dan would have. It is amazing how sometimes being leaders and helping out feels like you are alone in what you beleive and what you feel you are called to do, but it is a misperception. Dan was full of Charchter and then people that have come out to help find him are of the same caliber of people. You are judged by the company you keep, and Dan kept good company.
We have alot of the same values and morals within us and all answered the call to help. The Boy Scout motto is ” Do a Good Turn Daily” And that’s what we must all do everyday. One good thing to help find Dan and bring him home. Even if it that is just saying a prayer everyday for Dan. The scout law states that a scout is: Trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly,courteous, kind, obident, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and revrent. Dan was a perfect example of someone who lived out the scout Law in his daily life and interactions with other people.
One last thing. The scout oath starts with ” On my Honor I will do my Best” And all of us need to do that now. Do our best to find Dan, becasue I know deep down in my heart that is what Dan would have done for any of us, his best.
~GS
GS, and eveyone at St. Thomas. You remain in our prayers back home in WI. You did your absolute best to serve your fellow beloved friend, brave Scout, and admired Boys Stater. Be comforted knowing that Dan is with God. ~JF
I too had the opportunity to meet and get to know Dan at Boy’s State. This was actually the place where I first met him. He was in my brother city. We got to know each other very well at the party conventions and meetings. His passion and enthusiasm for America and politics was like none I had ever seen. What most people probably don’t realize is that Boy’s State is much more than a group of guys learning about patriotism and politics, it is a brotherhood. And for the last few weeks, this brotherhood has been crying together, praying together, and now we remember together. When one of our own is lost, we all lose something. I will never forget Dan; I only wish I had more time to get to know him. He truly was a class act! Boy’s Staters Forever Buddy!