On Feb. 8, the Boy Scouts of America will celebrate its 99th anniversary. While few have achieved the rank of Eagle, many American boys have grown up dreaming of merit badges and learning about nature, self-reliance, and community by way of the Boy Scouts organization.

In Windham, Troop 805 meets each week at the Windham Veterans Center on Thursday nights. Like countless troops across the country, many Windham boys have experienced great things because of their involvement in Scouts.

Posted on a bulletin board in a corner of the veterans center is a most interesting document entitled “John Wayne: What the Scout Law means to me.” I read it several months ago and was impacted by its wisdom. For those not familiar with the Scout Law, it’s a list of 12 attributes a good Scout possesses: Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent.

Near the end of his life, the great John Wayne, dying of cancer, was asked to attend a dinner to benefit a Boy Scouts land purchase. During the dinner, Wayne recited the Scout Law. He explained that the Scout Law was more than just 12 “nice words” but in fact the key to a successful life.

“We learn them so young,” Wayne said, “we sometimes don’t get all the understanding that goes with them.”

He went on to tell the dinner attendees that as boys in his own family reached Scout age, he’d sit them down and explain the Scout law incorporating some of his own wisdom. Riddled with cancer yet strong enough to stand to address the audience, he then proceeded to explain the Scout Law saying the following:

Trustworthy: The badge of honesty. Having it lets you look any man in the eye. Lacking it, he won’t look back. Keep this 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.

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

Courteous: Allow each person his human dignity, which means a lot more that 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 problem. Do it now.

Kind: This one word would stop wars and erase hatreds. But it’s like your bicycle. It’s no good unless you go 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.

Thrifty: Means a lot more than putting pennies away, and it 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 good, fine, decent folks show more bravery than heavyweight champs just by getting out of bed every morning, going out to do a good day’s work and living the best life they know how against all odds.

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

Reverent: Believe in anything that you want, but keep God at the top of it. With Him, life can be a beautiful experience. Without Him, you are just biding time.

John Balentine, of Windham, is a former editor of the Lakes Region Weekly.