I read with great interest the Feb. 16 letter to the editor entitled "Inappropriate Topic?" In the article, the writer said that he was disturbed by an article called "Scholar to Address Scouts.” He says that it is disturbing to "encourage resistance, instead of presenting a theme of unity in these troubled times."
I am an 80-year-old Eagle Scout. In Scouting, I learned the value of being strong, in standing up for what is right, in taking action instead of sitting on my hands and crying "woe is me." If we teach our Scouts to be nice, to always follow directions regardless of the source of the directions, we are doing the Scouts a disservice. Rather, we need to teach our Scouts to be brave, bold, outspoken, proactive. Those are important hallmarks of good citizenship. If we silently allow the bad guys to run the show, we are not doing our Scouting civic duty. I say to all Scouts: Be brave, do the right thing, even when others try to silence you. A scout is trustworthy, loyal, strong, and more.
Bart Hewitt
Alexandria