From One Eagle To Another…

Dear Ryan,

I am writing to you today as an Eagle Scout who has earned 3 Eagle Palms, is a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow, and is an 8-year member of Summer Camp Staff including two years as a Program Director. I am writing to let you know that I support you.

Ever since the BSA announced that they would uphold the ban on members of the LGBT Community, I have found it harder and harder to continue to support the organization. It pains me every day to see stories like yours where members of the BSA continue to tarnish the reputation of an organization that I have grown to love. You are obviously a person of very high character, and for that I admire and respect you.

I have had the pleasure of working with a great deal of people in my time in Scouting. Many of these wonderful people have been gay, and those Scouts have often been held in higher regard than many of their straight counterparts. They were in my troop, on Summer Camp Staff with me and have remained good friends of mine even though we have parted ways in our lives. I count these Scouts and Scouters as some of the most important and influential people in my life.

I am writing to you today to let you know that regardless of what your Troop, Council or even National says, regardless of what happens on Monday, in the minds of hundreds of thousands of Scouts, Scouters and other people, you already are an Eagle Scout. Your story will be known as one that inspired many to speak out against discrimination. 

Although you may not have been awarded the rank officially, there is much more to being an Eagle Scout than just a patch, medal or other physical representation. The true representation of an Eagle Scout lies in his character. The way in which he presents his Leadership through his commitment to the values that the Scout Oath and Law have taught him and his ability to stand tall in the face of adversity. 

I have spent a lot of the last few months debating to myself whether or not the BSA is something that I wish to continue to support. More importantly, I worry that when the time comes, it will still be an organization that I want my son to be a part of. As I fight this internal battle I keep reminding myself that if I abandon the organization completely, then the only thing it will accomplish is that the youth involved will lose the influence of someone who supports equality. They will lose a role model that is becoming more and more needed within the organization. This is the only reason that keeps me going.

In closing, I want to take the time to congratulate you on your accomplishments. You have earned the right in my eyes to be considered an Eagle Scout, and as one myself I would consider it an honor if I were to ever meet you in person or hold a conversation with you through any medium. You have accomplished a great many things in your 18 years on this earth and you and your parents should be proud of the young man you have become.

Regardless of what happens I hope that you remember the good things that Scouting has taught you. I hope that you apply them in your daily life and stand next to myself and the many others that will continue to fight for equality within Scouting. Most importantly, I hope that you remember the people within the organization that have supported you always and have helped you in your journey along the Trail to Eagle.

Congratulations again on your accomplishments, and I welcome you with an open heart to the Brotherhood of Eagle Scouts. 

Yours in Scouting,

Dennis N. LoConti Jr.

Eagle Scout

Troop 175, Mentor-On-The-Lake, Ohio

Greater Western Reserve Council