2002 National Officers' Closing Thoughts

Clay Capp	Riley Berg
2002 National Chief	2002 National Vice Chief

Fellow Arrowmen,

This is perhaps the most difficult message we have written, for it is such a daunting task to express what an amazing experience this year has been in so few words.

From the lodge banquets that began the year, to the ones that will conclude our terms, and the conclaves, meetings, and high adventure opportunities in which we participated in between, this year has given us the opportunities to do so much, and meet many incredible Arrowmen. It has been heartening to see the Order of the Arrow alive and well all around the nation, to see the enthusiasm in the eyes of Arrowmen as they lead the way for their lodges.

In all of our travels we discovered that the Order of the Arrow, and its members, are bound together by the same things they were 87 years ago: brotherhood, cheerfulness, and service. Those founding principles are still the compass for our Order. And while there is a great binding similarity in all our lodges, for which the light of our Order shines on similar aims, there are also many wonderful aspects of each lodge program and membership that makes every one of them integral to our movement.

One of the greatest privileges of the year was serving on the national Order of the Arrow committee. This body is comprised of some of the most dedicated and talented adults we have ever met. It was a pleasure to work, converse, and play basketball with them. And we could never forget the National Order of the Arrow Conference and everything extraordinary that came with serving in the year of such a grand event.

This year has flown by, but when we look back at everything that has been accomplished, it seems as though it has been more than just twelve months. From the freezing of the National Quality Lodge requirements in February, to the 2002 officers personally calling every lodge chief in the nation to keep the Northern Tier Wilderness Voyage in existence, there is so much to remember, and to build on for the future.

It is our hope that the youth of the Order, at every level, will continue to support the valuable programs that are offered at our national High Adventure bases. The OA needs the wilderness, just as the wilderness needs good stewards. There is important work to be done, and the OA High Adventure programs at Philmont and Northern Tier are an experience that is truly like none other.

This year has been full of blessings -- the greatest of which was the opportunity to serve you and our Order.

Your brothers,

Revised 12/26/02.