Issue 637 – April 14, 2020

By AskAndy on April 14, 2020 in News

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The story below is originally from NorthJersey.com and NBC Nightly News, and I’m thrilled to included it here (I was raised in New Jersey and earned my Eagle rank there). Our friend “Bryan on Scouting” also published this. Enjoy!

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“Sometimes music can say more than words.

“When a 13-year-old New Jersey Scout learned that 37 people had died from the coronavirus at a veterans’ home near his house, he wanted to offer his own kind of tribute.

“Alex Saldana, a Life Scout in Troop 36 of Oradell, NJ (Northern New Jersey Council) stood outside the New Jersey Veterans Home in Paramus and played ‘Taps’ on his trumpet. The song, often played at bedtime during Scout campouts, is commonly part of military funerals as well.

“Alex got as close to the veterans home entrance as the National Guard troops stationed there would allow; then he began playing.

“’I know it’s very hard for them right now, and they made the ultimate sacrifice for this country,’ Alex told NorthJersey.com. ‘I wanted to show respect and give them a sign of hope throughout this outbreak and sad time.’

“Alex doesn’t intend this to be a one-time tribute. He plans to continue playing ‘Taps’ and the Marine Corps hymn every night for as many nights as he can. ‘I’m hoping it will start to give them hope that things will get better,’ Alex told NBC News, ‘(and) that they’re not forgotten.’

“This act of respect and recognition for these fallen heroes gained national attention when it was featured in the April 9 broadcast of the NBC Nightly News.

“Alex is the official Troop 36 Bugler, a position of responsibility that allows him to use his four years of trumpeting experience to help his troop and now his community. He plays ‘Taps’ at every meeting and campout.

“Alex chose to play at the veterans’ home because the place already has a special connection for him. His dad, David, is a veteran himself, having served in the United States Marine Corps.”

Thank you, Alex, and thanks, Dad and Mom, for raising such a fine son. Semper Fi!

Till next week, please stay safe, stay healthy, and stay positive!
Happy Scouting!
Andy

Have a question? Facing a dilemma? Wondering where to find a BSA policy or guideline? Write to askandybsa@yahoo.com. Please include your name and council. (If you’d prefer to be anonymous, if published, let me know and that’s what we’ll do.)

Although these columns are copyrighted, any reader has my permission to quote or reproduce any columns or column parts so long as you attribute authorship: “Ask Andy” by Andy McCommish.

About AskAndy

Andy is a Board Member of the U.S. Scouting Service Project, Inc.

Andy was recognized in 2017 as a National Distinguished Eagle Scout and Regent of the National Eagle Scout Association. He is currently serving as council member-at-large. His previous position, which he held for over 20 years (except for several years when he served as District Commissioner and Assistant Council Commissioner-Training), was Unit Commissioner. He has previously served as Den Leader, Webelos Den Leader, Cubmaster, Pack Committee Chair, Scoutmaster, International Representative, and--as a Scout--Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader, and Junior Assistant Scoutmaster. He is a charter member and founding director of his prior council's Alumni Association and Eagle Scout Alumni Association, both established in 2001. He earned Eagle Scout rank at age 15, in 1957; two years later, he earned the Explorer Silver Award--at that time referred to as the "Double-Eagle." At age 16, he served on the National Junior Leader Training Camp Staff at Schiff Scout Reservation (at that time this was a salaried position). He also served on the Philmont NJLIC Staff in 2002, 2003, and 2004, and, later, on two Pilot Regional NAYLE Staffs. His recognitions include: Kashafa Iraqi Scouting Service Award, Distinguished Commissioner, Doctor of Commissioner Science, International Scouter Award, District Award of Merit (2), Scoutmaster Award of Merit, Scouter's Key (3), Daniel Carter Beard Masonic Scouter Award, Cliff Dochterman Rotarian Scouter Award, James E. West Fellow (3), Wood Badge & Sea Badge. He has attended four National Scout Jamborees: Scout in 1957, First Assistant Scoutmaster in 1993, National Staff in 2001, and NESA Featured Speaker in 2014 and 2017. The BSA included his article titled "Frictionless Scouting Events" was incorporated into the BSA National Training Video, "Meetings of the District" for ten years. He is a charter member of the BSA National Advancement Advisory Board and has written multiple technical articles for the BSA Advancement Team's "Advancement News" since 2012. Read Andy's full biography