Comments by Sean Kelly, Eagle Scout and Executive Board Member, "Prepared. For Life Breakfast", McCormick, December 18, 2012

1. Eagle Testimonial
Good Morning!
I am Sean Kelly, I work at Riggs, Counselman, Michaels, & Downs in our Private Client Group
Practice. I have a wife and four daughters and you may be wondering why am I here? If you all
would be so kind, I would like to share some memories of my days as a Tenderfoot, Star, &
Eagle Scout. My dad became an eagle scout in May 11th 1944. I realized as I was writing this
collection of memories, I became an Eagle Scout exactly 30yrs later on August 28th, 1974. My
brother Jaime became an eagle scout, and two that almost did. Steve had all the badges, but no
eagle project. Brendan had completed all requirements but to sit for his Eagle board review.
I will never forget my first camp-out as an eleven year old in Troop 4, Buffalo Bill Council, in
Davenport, IA. For all of you who have not been fortunate enough to visit Iowa, Davenport is
right where I-80 interstate crosses the Mississippi River. We only had Visqueen tents (plastic
sheeting) – pretty simple, but purposeful. Over the next two years through our own fund raising
projects, like selling Christmas Greens, our troop bought all new tents. What a great life lesson
that was..To walk up to a neighbors door (dreading) rejection, then taking an order, a taste of
success. Our troop set a goal, we raised the funds, and got the new tents we all wanted. Great life
lesson, set a goal, work hard, made getting the tents even better because we earned it.
BSA Summer Camp at Camp Minneyata along the Wapsi River. I was fortunate to get to attend
several week-long summer camps. Each troop had its own camp. Troop 4 slept in tents at a site
located in the clearings next to the White Pine trees; we chose this site every year. The pine
needles made a soft bed under your tent. And the wind whistling through the pine trees would
lull me to sleep each night. We ate in a large dining hall, hiked in the woods and along the river,
visited the trading post, and learned things like archery and riflery. We swam in the camp pool
& I got my life saving & swimming merit badges there. All the troops gathered at night and sat
on logs ringing a communal campfire, where we sang songs and heard tall tales like the legend of
Wasp Willie.(legend has it that Willie haunts bad campers) The week lasted for ever, but by the
end it went very quickly. I learned to have a goal of what I wanted to accomplish while I was at
camp…one year was three merit badges and do the mile swim. Set goals…achievement.
High Adventure – Lac La Croix, in the boundary waters, just North of Minnesota. Star Merit
badge was required to make this trip. Two portages with our canoes & supplies to arrive at an
island in the middle of the lake, so to protect us from Bears. You could drink the water you

2. swam in. We ate and caught fish like, Walleye & Northern Pike every day. An Indian fishing
post was 20-30 minutes away was the closest thing to civilization. It taught me how powerful
nature is and I have always respected it. Every placed we camped we left cleaner then when we
found it.
The nightly playing of “Taps” at Camp Minneyata, or when our troop went on our monthly
campouts is a memory is cherished. One of our fellow troop members was excellent on the bugle
and played this song well, just at sunset, mournful, beautiful, and comforting.
Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky;
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.
Fading light, dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright.
From afar, drawing nigh, falls the night.
Thanks and praise, for our days,
'Neath the sun, 'neath the stars, neath the sky;
As we go, this we know, God is nigh.
Sun has set, shadows come,
Time has fled, Scouts must go to their beds
Always true to the promise that they made.
While the light fades from sight,
And the stars gleaming rays softly send,
To thy hands we our souls, Lord, commend.
1. “God is nigh” God is near, not as in God’s wrath, but in comfort. I have always felt god’s
presence in scouting
2. “Always true to the promise that they made”. I have always tried my hardest to keep my
promises in life, family, work & community.
3. “To thy hands we our souls, Lord, commend”. I think this means give our soul to God to
entrust for care. Through scouts & life I have learn to do your best and let god worry
about the rest.