Page 138 - some-stuff-i-wrote-and-some-stuff-i-didn't-(2011)-h-morris-williams

Some Stuff I Wrote (2001) H. Morris Williams

Five Lake City Boy Scout Troops, including my own Troop 87, already on a camporee at
Ocean Pond were invited to attend the dedication ceremony. All accepted.
I was one of the five scouts, one from each troop, selected to participate in the formal

program. My part was to lead the Pledge to the Flag.

The ceremony was held on the north side of the pond. We all gathered outdoors in a large
circle on that cool, bright March day.

The master of ceremonies looked out over the hundred-plus uniformed scouts and welcomed them.
He then began the program by calling on first one scout to say the scouts’ oath, then another to say

the scouts’ laws, all according to a rehearsed plan.
I was scheduled to be next and I was ready. Nervous, but ready.

“And now,” he said, “Morris Williams, Troop 87, will lead us ”
I was looking forward to my part. I would stand tall and say in my clearest voice, “I pledge

allegiance to the flag of the United States of America ...
But then the emcee finished his sentence, “ ... in our opening prayer.”
My mind went blank. I couldn’t believe it! I was not supposed to say a prayer. That was

someone else. I was to lead the pledge!
All the scouts removed their caps for the prayer. The group fell silent. They waited for the

prayer to begin. I waited too, thinking the scout designated to pray might begin his prayer, even
though my name had been announced.

No such luck. I had to do it. Mentally staggering, I almost began, “Dear Lord, I pledge
allegiance to the flag ...”

Then I took a deep breath and began. “Dear God, thank you for Benjamin Duke. Thank you
for his work in this forest. Thank you for the sacrifice of his life for our country. We hope his

family will like this memorial to him. Amen.”
"Ihe caps went back on and the program continued to its conclusion. The scouts returned to

their campsites. But my mind was still reeling. I worried about my little prayer. It hadn’t even
seemed to me like a real prayer. I yearned for some sign of reassurance. When you are 14 years old,
you find lots to worry about.

Miserable and depressed I walked to the truck we came in and climbed into the back. I sat

-133-

www.LakeCityHistory.com LCH-UUID: CD05D759-5273-4705-A6D7-381FCF749098