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John Wayne passed away in June 1979 from cancer. One of his last public appearances, and at this time all knew that the end was near, was at a dinner to benefit a land purchase for a Scout reservation called John Wayne Outpost Camp.

At this dinner, the Duke recited the Scout Law. Then he did something unusual, he said “the twelve points of the Scout Law are “nice words.”” “Trouble is,” he continued, “we learn them so young we sometimes don’t get all the understanding that goes with them. I take care of that in my family. As each boy reaches Scout age, I make sure he learns the Scout Law. Then I break it down for him, with a few things I have picked up in more than half a century since I learned it.” Then the Duke proceeded to explain the importance of the Scout Law, breaking it down for the guests at the dinner, much like he would have for his grandson.

TRUSTWORTHY – The badge of honesty. Having it lets you look any man in the eye. Lacking it he won’t look back. Keep this one at the top of your list.

LOYAL – The very word is life itself, for without loyalty we have no love of person or country.

HELPFUL – Part sharing, part caring. By helping each other, we help ourselves, not to mention mankind. Be always full of help – the dying man’s last words.

FRIENDLY – Brotherhood is part of that word. You can take it in a lot of directions – and – do but make sure and start with brotherhood.

COURTEOUS – Allow each person his human dignity which means a lot more than saying “yes ma’am” and “thank you sir.” It reflects an attitude that later in life you wish you had honored more …. earlier in life. Save yourself that trouble. Do it now.

KIND – This one word would stop wars and erase hatreds. But its like your bicycle. Its just no good unless get out and use it.

OBEDIENT – Starts at home. Practice it in your family. Enlarge it in your friends. Share it with humanity.

CHEERFUL – Anyone can put on a happy face when the going is good. The secret is to wear it as a mask for your problems. It might surprise you how many others do the same thing.

THRIFTY – Means a lot more that putting pennies away, and is the opposite of cheap. Common sense covers it just about as well as anything.

BRAVE – You don’t have to fight to be brave. Millions of fine decent folks show more bravery than heavy-weight champs just by getting out of bed every morning, going out to do a good days work and living the best life they know how against the law of odds. Keep the word handy every day of your life.

CLEAN – Soap and water help a lot on the outside. But it is the inside that counts and don’t you ever forget it.

REVERANT – Believe in anything that you want to believe in but keep GOD at the top of it. With him, life can be a beautiful experience. Without him, you are just bidding time.

John Wayne then thanked those in attendance at the dinner for putting his name on the outpost camp and said, “I would rather see it here than on all the theater marquees the world over.”

SandRat, I am a Scoutmaster and I thank you for that wonderful image of my greatest hero! I will share it with my boys!

Wonderful post. Never saw those words from him before. A keeper.

I never knew that he did that. Thanks for sharing this from the Duke!

I remember that The Duke was at a Scout function very near the end. Very interesting to read. Thanks, Sand.