Posted on 05/23/2007 8:14:50 PM PDT by fgoodwin
Perot Jets to Erma to Bolster Scouts
http://www.capemaycountyherald.com/article/articles/3630/1/Perot-Jets-to-Erma-to-Bolster-Scouts
http://tinyurl.com/2orzz9
By Jack Fichter
May 23, 2007
ERMA — Ross Perot, former presidential candidate, billionaire businessman, and Eagle Scout, thrilled a crowd of veterans, Boy Scouts, and politicians May 18 at Naval Air Station Wildwood at the county airport.
He was on time for his speaking engagement, as his private jet arrived 20 minutes ahead of scheduled. Perot was dressed in a dark suit and was courteous to all he came in contact with, including a number of audience members who received handshakes and autographs.
The event coincided with a scouting weekend on the beach at Morey’s Pier in Wildwood.
Perot was introduced by Norris Clark, who formerly worked for Perot as a business director. Clark is a Republican candidate for state assembly.
His Democratic opponent, Assemblyman Nelson Albano (D-1st), was also on hand in the audience.
There was no forgetting Perot is a Texan, from his accent and from the band – “Early Morning Reign” – playing “Deep in the Heart of Texas” when he took the stage.
Perot, a Naval Academy graduate, thanked veterans for “preserving and protecting our great country.”
He told the crowd of the heroic efforts of fighter pilot Robbie Risner in the Korean War.
Risner later was a prisoner of war (POW) in Vietnam from 1965 to 1973. He was imprisoned in a small box for five years and “never broke.” Perot said such a spirit “has given us the country that we have.”
Perot financed a nine-foot statue in Risner’s honor at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Perot stressed it was very important to give returning troops a warm welcome. He said POWs have fewer cases of post-war syndrome because “they were welcomed as they should have been.”
“It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, that has given us the freedom to demonstrate,” said Perot. “It is the soldier that salutes the flag and whose coffin is draped in the flag that allows the protestor to burn the flag.”
He divided his speech into two parts, one part for veterans, the other for scouts. He said scouting is a powerful and positive force that had great impact on our country.
“Just think what a great country we would be if everybody lived by the Boy Scout motto, ‘Be Prepared,’” said Perot. “Think what a great country it would be if everyone lived by the Boy Scout oath promising to do their best and do their duty to God and country, to help other people at all times, to keep themselves physically strong, mentally alert, and morally straight.”
“That’s the way it used to be and I hope we get it back,” he continued.
Perot asked the audience to consider what a great country we would have if each person followed the 12 points of the scout law: being trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
He said leadership training often begins with scouting. Perot said some ask if scouting is still relevant in a “selfish, greedy world where looking after number one seems to be the driving force.”
He said scouting oaths and skills were still relevant.
“Keep in mind we are born selfish,” said Perot. “We must be taught to care, to share, to have concern for others if we are going to live together in harmony.”
He said scouting teaches all those values. Perot said he keeps his old scouting handbook in his office.
Dr. Joseph Salvatore, NASW museum director, presented Perot with a model airplane, “the type that was used here in World War II.”
Someone in the crowd shouted “Perot for president one more time.”
Contact Fichter at (609) 886-8600 Ext 30 or at: jfichter@cmcherald.com
Please ping your Scouting list.
Thanx
There, fixed it.
kin I tawk? kin I tawk larry?
Leni
What do you think his motives were? I know what he did. Why did he do it? Was it ego? Did he really think he was the reincarnation of Teddy Roosevelt?
I think a) he's nutty as squirrel poop, b) he really hated George H.W. Bush, and c) he got coerced by the Clinton machine.
“It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, that has given us the freedom to demonstrate,” said Perot. “It is the soldier that salutes the flag and whose coffin is draped in the flag that allows the protestor to burn the flag.”
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