The National Council of Boy Scouts of America pays Tribute to President Gerald R. Ford

BSA National Council & the Gerald R. Ford Council | 12.26.06

[Coleus]

IN MEMORIAM Gerald R. Ford 38th President of the United States July 14, 1913 - December 26, 2006

The Boy Scouts of America joins the Ford family and our country in mourning the loss of President Gerald R. Ford. His presidential term coincided with a very difficult time in American history, but he served with grace and dignity. President Ford achieved Eagle Scout, Scouting's highest rank, which is accomplished by only about 4 percent of all Boy Scouts. By dedicating himself to serving the youth and families of his country throughout his life, he left each of us with a shining example of duty, honor, and character.

From the  Gerald R. Ford Council, Grand Rapids Michigan

Gerald R. Ford

1913 -2006

As of 12:00 pm, December 29, 2006, we have met our quota of Eagle Scouts that will be involved with lining of Pearl Street for Tuesday January 2, 2007. You can still line the streets with general public, but not with the Eagle Scouts on Pearl Street. This decision has been made by those involved with the funeral planning. Thank you for your support.  Judge Hugh W. Brenneman, Jr., Council President said of President Ford, "President Gerald R. Ford was sometimes referred to in his public life as a Boy Scout. I believe that was high praise for both the man and the Scouts. President Ford treasured his days as a Boy Scout. He was the first Eagle Scout to become a President of the United States. More importantly, his life was a living definition of what an Eagle Scout should be. The term Eagle Scout and the name of President Gerald R. Ford will be forever synonymous."

~~~

Council Board member Dick DeVos said, on hearing of the death of the President, ”President Ford lived by the Boy Scout Oath that calls on a Scout to do his best to do his duty to God and country. He was among this nation’s most upstanding citizens, leading our democracy through one of its most trying times while helping to heal America.  As a former Boy Scout and friend of President Ford’s, I saw him live the values of Scouting, always doing his best, always keeping his moral compass pointed north.  It made him a strong leader, a positive role model for young people all across this country, and while we celebrate his life we are saddened to have lost his company here on earth

~~~

Michael D. Sulgrove, Scout Executive of the Gerald R. Ford Council, Boy Scouts of America, remarked “President Gerald R. Ford never forgot his Boy Scout Oath and Law! I believe, in fact, that it was this Oath and Law that guided his daily actions and thinking as our nation’s leader. President Ford was often “blamed” for being too much of a Boy Scout --- a fact to which he quickly retorted by saying “more people need to act like Boy Scouts.” Our Council will forever be named in honor of this great leader. In our nation’s darkest hour of doubt and fear in the office of our President --- it was an Eagle Scout who renewed our faith!”

~~~

There has been a great deal of media shared information out as it relates to our Council’s participation in the funeral for President Ford. This note is to bring you up on our currently known specifics. Please click this link for details. More information follows for Eagle Scouts and Scouts.

The Gerald R. Ford Council is looking for Eagle Scouts who would like to participate in the Eagle Scout Guard, that will line Pearl Street as the funeral procession returns to the museum for repose. Eagle Scouts need to be in FULL UNIFORM (Shirt, pants, socks, belt, Council Shoulder Patch, OA Sash--if member, and Takachsin beads--if member) and need to call Matt Adams at 616-785-2662 to leave your name and phone number.

Please click this link for a letter to Eagle Scouts wishing to participate. This is for Eagle Scouts only.

Attention Cub Scout Packs, Boy Scout Troops, Venturer Crews, Explorer Posts and Learning for Life Groups. Click here to read how you as a unit or an indiviual Scout may pay tribute to President Ford the day of the funeral--Wednesday, January 3, 2007

For details of President Ford's Funeral click on the following links:

Wood TV 8 -NBC     WZZM 13 News- ABC    Fox 17 - WXMI   WWMT - CBS

MLive-Local newspaper (Grand Rapids Press)

[Coleus]

Ford to be honored by fellow Eagle Scouts in Grand Rapids

Boy Scouts of America Gerald R. Ford Council Mourns Loss of the Nation's First Eagle Scout President

Boy scouts will offer final salute to Ford

Local Eagle Scout remembers President Ford

Boy Scouts to play role in Ford funeral

Tribute to an Eagle Scout

Column: John Madden: Scout's honor: Ford more than just a president

LETTER: Ford's leadership began in Boy Scouts

Boy Scouts will offer final salute to Ford

Statue of Gerald R. Ford outside Boy Scouts of America building in Walker, Mich.

[Professional Engineer]

ping

[DustyMoment]

There were a lot of kind words spoken at his memorial service at the Capitol, tonight. I don't really recall a lot about President Ford except that, as most speakers noted, he took us from a tumultuous period of uncertainty and distrust in government to a period of relative calm in only 20-something months. Quite an accomplishment.

In retrospect, Ford was a decent, honest, straightforward man who led a rather remarkable life. We didn't appreciate him nearly enough at the time. Instead, we villified him for a decision that was, ultimately, proven to be the right one - pardoning President Nixon.

As I listened to the words being spoken about him at his memorial, I followed as the camera panned the room and stopped at different politicians' faces, I couldn't help but wonder; when they die, will we be able to say the same kinds of things about them as were said about President Ford tonight?

For most of them, in a word - no. We can say without smiling or laughing that we knew Gerald Ford . . . . . and, they are no Gerald Fords!!

[Bottom_Gun]

We can say without smiling or laughing that we knew Gerald Ford . . . . . and, they are no Gerald Fords!!

Amen to that my friend. One of my fondest memories of my youth is making eagle scout and receiving a letter of congratulations from President Ford. One of the few things I still have from my youth, and I dug it out the other day for another look and brought a smile to my face remembering the feeling of getting a letter from a sitting President on that event of my life.

[NorCalRepub]

......that is great....I got my Eagle Scout when Nixon was still Pres a year before Ford took over.....damn, Tricky Dick never sent me anything......

[SandRat]

[SmithL]

I wish we had more politicians that were trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.

[DustyMoment]

One of my fondest memories of my youth is making eagle scout and receiving a letter of congratulations from President Ford.

You were an Eagle scout!? Wow, congratulations, I'm impressed. I was a scout (not a very good one) and I know what it takes to make Eagle.

It's too bad that he leftists decided to attack the Boy Scouts - they were and are a VERY valuable (and greatly missed) source of well-mannered, responsible, respectful young men nd leaders. It's too bad that the BSA became a target of the leftist "do-gooders", we need the Boys and Girl Scouts back

[Rannug]

Hand salute one - - - - - - - - - - two.
Thank you President Ford. Rest in Peace.
Netawotwes District, Buckeye Council.

[Techster]

Bump

[ride the whirlwind]

Have been following this with interest as both sons (ages 21 & 16) are Eagle scouts here in Michigan. Unfortunately, they won't be able to make the 500 mile or so trip downstate to participate in this tribute to President Ford. Hope to see it on tv however. My 1st time voting at age 18 was when Ford ran. He got my vote as has every Republican since.

[GOPrincess]

When I made First Class Cadette in Girl Scouts President Ford also sent me a letter of congratulations, which was framed and hung in my room for years. I still have it.

[Coleus]

I'm surprised that most of the local councils in America have no tributes to president ford posted on their web pages. What a shame.

[DustyMoment]

They may be keeping a low profile to stay off of the MSM's vicious radar. If that's the case, I can't say that i blame them.

[SandRat]

Doubly Surprised here as well. Checked my email for something from the Council here regularly since Pres. Ford's passing and all there is is the sound of CRICKETS. Tell you what though, at least in this District we will make it a point to recognize him at Roundtable.

[RonF]

Well, I can make sure of that in my District because I'm District Commissioner.

[SandRat]

District Commissioner here as well, just sent it out to our Northern Area ADC and I'll take care of the Southern Area Personnally.

Also, just sent the BSA National link to our Council Commissioner to get out to the other Districts to use at their Roundtables.

[Don'tMessWithTexas]

I got my Eagle in 1973. I got a letter "signed" by RN. I'm putting the Eagle medal in a display box but will use my tie clip from time to time.

Gerald Ford is the only President to make Eagle. I do know that many other great American go their badge as well. RIP, President Ford from the Panther Patrol, Troop 5 Austin, Texas.

[Don'tMessWithTexas]

Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates the new SecDef and former CIA Directore are both Eagle Scouts.