Once and eagle, always and eagle

A pretty fine example came to light Sunday when one of the young men of our Village was recognized as an Eagle Scout in the Court of Honor ceremony.  It is a very big deal not only for him but for his scoutmaster and for an interval we should think about this.  Landon Emmanuel Doroski attained this level of achievement by dedication and service.  His scoutmaster, Robert E. Waldon, Jr. of Troop 51 (the troop's home base is the Episcopal Church on Main), presided and obviously had more than a little to do with Landon earning this honor. 

We were discussing this the other evening with a friend who has a spouse involved with Scouts and who made the observation that both Misters Doroski and Waldon really are from the same cloth. Eagle Scout Doroski attained the honor by his good works, not only mastering skills to earn merit badges but in being first in line to do things around the Village and the area; essentially whatever he found that needed doing.   His Eagle project centered around the nature trail in Moore's Woods which is in the condition it is in because of Mr. Doroski's efforts (although he always uses the editorial "we" in describing it).

Mr. Waldon must be what we would call a community gem, obviously taking time that the rest of us have as well but not spending like he does, and applies it to these young men. The fruits of his efforts and sacrifice are realized in victories great and small, Mr. Doroski's being one of the major ones, but we doubt that Mr. Waldon would assume any credit. He appears to be a selfless man to do all this and would probably blush with the credit.

Point is that both of these gentlemen are the same.  One helped the other achieve something that is quite remarkable in this day and age and in turn, the honoree recognizes the leader for what he helped him and essentially guided him to accomplish.  When Mr. Doroski puts the flags on soldiers graves, cleans up a nature path, probably picks up litter on the street, he does so not because Mr. Waldon asks him to but because he probably felt that it would be something that Mr. Waldon would do and expect, but not demand, of others.

We need to revisit this some in the next while as we are in a Village where some inhabitants start every sentence with "me or I" and have frequently lost sight of the greater good. These two Scouts are a treasure of an example for us to follow.

Good for you Landon. Well done Mr. Waldon. We have the hope of being better for what you do.