Chiefly Thoughts on Duty to Country
by Benjamin L. Stilwill, 2008 National Vice Chief
The Order of the Arrow has always served as one of the pinnacles of service to our
country, not because we are asked to, and most definitely not because we are told
to, but rather because it is our duty as Arrowmen. Dr. E. Urner Goodman, in his
1966 address at the Area 2C conference, talked to Arrowmen about the founding of
the Order. He said to them that the Order of the Arrow was not founded on Treasure
Island. Rather, it was founded many years beforehand. In 1776 a nation was founded,
one that spoke of freedom and liberty.
These principles stayed with the country through hundreds of years, and men who
exemplified these traits were those who went through that particular ceremony of
the Ordeal. The Arrowmen of today are no different. There are Arrowmen from coast
to coast who volunteer to our country and volunteer to our communities. Their dedication
to others and to this country has been amazing in the past 93 years.
 This
year, Arrowmen have a new opportunity. As the summer approaches, thousands of Arrowmen
from all over will be joining shovels in our national forests. They will be preserving
hundreds of years of human impact, while ensuring the future beauty that enthralled
so many people about our country. It is estimated that the volunteering will provide
millions of dollars of work to the five national forests, proving to be the largest
service project that the Boy Scouts have ever undertaken.
So as you go out into the woods, tools in hand, remember Dr. Goodman's message.
We have always answered the call to our country. This summer will be the perfect
opportunity to answer that call once again. The Order has and always will be the
pinnacle of our nation's founding principles.
ArrowCorps5 will always be
remembered as an excellent testament to our dedication as Arrowmen, not only to
the founding principles of Dr. Goodman, but the founding principles of our country.
Yours in Brotherhood,
Benjamin L. Stilwill
2008 National Vice Chief
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