Independence Day; A Day to Honor and Recognize our Exceptionalism

By T. R. Shaw Jr.

            I admit it, I’m a Fourth of July junkie.  Independence Day is unabashedly my favorite holiday for a number of reasons.

            I’m a flag waving patriot and cherish seeing the red, white and blue.  Fourth of July is a long day of parades, festivities, food, fun, friends and fireworks!  The holiday falls just after Summer Solstice and is still one of the longest astronomical days of the year.  It’s usually hot and spent close to water and you don’t have to buy people gifts!   As I’ve always said, it makes all the other holiday’s in our great nation possible.

            This year, the United States will celebrate 241 years as the world’s longest standing experiment in freedom and democracy.  Like any anniversary, we can’t look back and say they’ve all been good years.  Our nation has endured many challenges, but still it’s the place the world wants to come.

            When I was in the U.S. Navy, I served in NATO.  I had the opportunity to see America through other’s eyes.    I learned we as American’s know little of Canada, our neighbor to the North, or much about the culture and history of many of our allies.  That’s one of the unintended traits makes the rest of the world and our NATO allies consider us “arrogant.”   Most of the world sees us as “American Exceptionalists.”  I’ve never been sure if that’s good or bad?

Incidentally, this year July 1 will mark Canada’s 150^th Independence Day or “Dominion Day.”  Congratulations to our Canadian friends!  How many of you just now learned this?  Once, a Canadian officer confided in me that “Deep down Canadians are still not exactly sure what we are yet.  We do know we are not Americans.  Our national identity still eludes us,” he told me.

            The NATO command at Norfolk where I served, recognized every member’s nation National Day.  The National Day started with the celebrating nation’s flag raising and anthem, followed by music, short speeches, and a great reception of national food.  The rest of the day was pretty much “holiday routine” something Europeans are very savvy at observing.

            On or around July 1, NATO would observe a combined Canadian Dominion and U.S. Independence Day because it was the start of a long holiday break where most people took summer leave.  It also gets unbearably hot in Norfolk in July.

            Recently, I thought about our Centennial in 1876 and what a party that was.  In researching it, huge events took place in every city and hamlet in the nation.  Fireworks were everywhere, in fact one article I read stated that thousands died on July 4, 1876 in fireworks related accidents.  Sort of a sad take on a glorious event. 

            Although it was one big party, America was still at war in the West.  Only a week earlier, on June 25, 1876, Custer and the 7^th Calvary was decimated by the Sioux and Cheyenne at the Little Bighorn in Montana.  Native Americans were fighting for their independence and President Grant was rebuilding the nation after a bitter Civil War.  America was still not completely the “Land of the Free.”

Throughout our history we’ve fought many wars.  We are presently still engaged in a Global War on Terrorism.  The point is, we’ve never really been a nation at peace on our greatest holiday.   As we celebrate freedom from oppression, oppression still exists in much of the world today.

Nothing speaks to oppression more than our Declaration of Independence.  If you haven’t read it since high school, I urge you to seriously study it. 

Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776

The object of the Declaration of Independence, as Thomas Jefferson expressed to Henry Lee was, ”To place before mankind the common sense of the subject; in terms so plain and firm as to command their assent.”  It was intended to be an expression of the American mind, and to give to that expression the proper tone and spirit called for by the occasion.

So, as we celebrate and wave the flag this holiday, let us not forget we are a nation borne of conflict and in perpetual conflict we remain.  True independence has yet to be realized, although America still is that “Shining City on the Hill” where freedom is the goal and tyranny ostracized.  We are still the best hope for all Mankind and we must never forget our role in the world as peacemakers and liberators.  We are not oppressors.   We must continue to stand up to every form of evil and treachery in the world today.

I’m proud to be an American, but with that pride comes a great deal of responsibility to lead the world and to do what’s right for the future of all mankind. On this Independence Day let us cherish the freedom so many have fought and died for.  Let us continue to be the beacon of hope in an uncertain and brutal world.  Let us remember our responsiblies that come with American Exceptionalism!

T. R. Shaw Jr. is CEO of Shaw Communication in Battle Creek, Michigan.  He is a retired U.S. Navy public affairs officer.  He blogs at The Reluctant R(L)eader, www.read-mor.blogspot.com.

Want to Change The World? Become a Scout Leader and Mentor

By T. R. Shaw Jr.

I come from a Scouting family.  My dad was an Eagle Scout along with uncles, cousins and other relatives.  My nephew recently earned his Eagle status and I couldn't be prouder.  Unfortunately, my resume will never bear the title of Eagle Scout, but it doesn't diminish the fact I can't play a role in Scouting today.

It’s not that I didn’t want to pursue Eagle; I went through Cub Scouts, was an active Webelo and started on the Boy Scout trail.  The problem was in the 1970’s Scouting wasn’t really cool, and few of my friends pursued it.  Add to that, we didn’t have enough adult leaders and volunteers pushing us. In some ways, my era was robbed of a great, life-changing experience.

As an adult, I had a career in the military and funeral service and now I’m pursuing a communication career.  I sold my funeral business and my wife and I started our own public affairs firm which is slowly building.  It’s all about relationships and networking.

Recently, I was invited to help Boy Scouts on the Michigan Southern Shores Field Service Council Board as a volunteer Vice President for Communication and Marketing.  The Council, recently reorganized and now includes nearly every county in Southern Michigan, a huge footprint.

I saw this opportunity as a chance to give back to Scouting, which I’ve financially supported over the years but have not been directly involved in activities or programs.  I also saw it as a business opportunity to expand my communication skills, build a network and circle of influence.

My role is a communication consultant to the Council, but I soon discovered Scouting has a strong base of professional communication executives.  It’s a machine that needs little tuning.  To its credit Scouting has a strong communication and marketing savvy.  Communication and visibility is a presently a challenge due to competition of so many societal elements begging for the attention of youth and their parents.   It’s apparent my role is to help advocate for Scouting and expand the reach.

I recently attended our Council’s Annual Meeting at Albion College.  Like many other annual meetings we discussed performance, numbers and goals and had a good feeling about the direction we are heading, but there is always room for improvement.

Following the meeting, the Council hosted the annual Silver Beaver Recognition luncheon.  I was vaguely familiar with the award.  It recognizes adult leadership in the Scouting Council.

The award was given to seven adult leaders of Scouting, all of whom truly deserved it.  It is given to “adult leaders who have made an impact on the lives of youth through service given to the Council.  It is given to those who implement the Scouting Program and perform community service through hard work, self-sacrifice, dedication and many years of service.”

Each of the recipients had impressive Scouting resumes as Troop and Council leaders and mentors. I was awestruck by their level of service and commitment.  One awardee, Edna Kinney from Monroe, was recognized for more than 60 years of Scouting service, going back to being a Den Mother in the late 1950’s.  She had garnered many other Scouting and community awards over the years and has dedicated most of her life to Scouting.  Most of the other awardees were Eagles who continue to make a difference in Scouting.

Another honoree, Roy More from Ann Arbor was recognized for his recent Silver Antelope Award from Boy Scouts at their National Annual Meeting.  He was one of only 32 volunteers world-wide to earn the distinction recognizing more than 31 years of mentoring and leading Scouts in Ann Arbor.

Another exceptional Scouting leader is Pastor Ron Coleman of Kalamazoo.  He is presently working hard to revitalize Scouting in the neglected inner-city and urban areas of the Council.  Coleman has chatted with hundreds of church leaders in some of the most economically depressed areas of Michigan to bring Scouting to their community.  This is the sort of leadership and vision Scouting represents today because people are stepping up and taking responsibility.

What struck me about this event is how it demonstrates the importance of adult role models and mentors in Scouting.  Without them, there would be no leadership in Scouting. 

Scouting over the years has proven to be a critical element in creating great people and citizens and preparing them for life and public service.  Show me any successful leader or executive today and Scouting is likely in their past.  What we need today are motivated adult leaders and mentors to “show the way and go the way” for the next generation.  I implore professionals in all walks of life to step to the plate for Scouting and volunteer your time, talent, and resources to this venerable character producing institution.

If you truly want to make an impact on Youth today, Scouting offers an outstanding opportunity to mentor and lead.  Never before has it been so critical to coach, lead and motivate the next generation of citizens and leaders. 

To explore volunteer Scouting opportunities, visit:

https://beascout.scouting.org/Volunteer.aspx

The world today is a confusing and volatile place, where the ideals and ethics of Scouting are desperately needed. Scouting will thrive with the help of great people.  

T. R. Shaw Jr., is CEO of Shaw Communication in Battle Creek, Michigan.  He blogs at:  The Reluctant R(L)eader at www.read-mor.blogspot.com