Brothers,

  Since I last wrote, our Lodge has been busily at work trying to enhance the Order of the Arrow experience for all of our members. The largest event we have used to this end, since December, was the Fun-O-Ree. The Fun-O-Ree was a successful event.  About 40 Arrowmen were at Knox, and they had a great time fellowshipping and being trained. I hope that this will continue to be a successful Lodge event in years to come.

As you may know, the Spring Ordeal is nearly upon us. Because of the hard work of our Chapter Chiefs, chairmen, and members at large, we are expecting a great number of Ordeal candidates and Brotherhood candidates to be in attendance. The Vice-Chiefs, chairmen, and I have been working hard to make sure there is plenty of fun for everyone, and plenty of work to help the camp. I look forward to seeing all of you there.

  After the Spring Ordeal, Dixie is just around the corner. As with every year, our theme has been painstakingly crafted by our devoted committee and I am pleased to announce to the General Lodge our theme: SIXTIES DIXIE. This theme has a lot of potential and we encourage Arrowmen to help by making custom costumes and spirit items.

All positive spirit is greatly appreciated, however, there is a certain stigma associated with this theme and I would hate to see our good time ruined by poor judgment on anyone’s part.

  This summer, of course, we are going to NOAC and it is going to be a blast. I hope that every one who wants to go gets registered so they don't miss out on this awesome event, and I look forward to having more details to disperse in later letters.

  I want to thank everyone for a good year so far, and I hope to be able to continue to help the Lodge grow.

Yours in Scouting,

Doug Massey

Lodge Chief

Bob White Lodge

Brothers,

First off, let me tell you how glad I am to be preparing to serve the Lodge as the Vice-Chief of Administration. I believe that there are always opportunities for improvement, and I am excited to see how we will improve over the next year. Dewey has been doing an excellent job, and I hope to be able to fill his shoes and help make the following year as productive as possible.

Yours in Scouting,

Michael Vaill

  In the Order of the Arrow, we promise to follow tradition. When we recite the  Obligation, we promise to “observe and preserve the traditions of the Order of the Arrow.” What are the traditions which we promise to “always and  aithfully observe and preserve?”  Is it a particular style of performing a ceremony? Is it a particular method of operating the Lodge? No, it is neither of these. The traditions we are dedicated to “observe and preserve” are the ideals of the Scout Oath and Law and those of our Nation. The OA was created to recognize the best Scouts who were the best at Scoutcraft and Scouthood. One who practices the ideals of the Scout Oath and Law is one who practices  Scouthood.

  What are the  traditions of the Scout Oath and Law? We know the words by heart.  We recite them at every Troop meeting. I have had elderly men, who could barely stand, give the salute and recite the Oath after four or five  ecades since they last uttered the words. However, these words alone are not the traditions. The words describe the ideals to which we strive in our everyday actions.

It is our actions and the actions of those who have gone before us which are the traditions which we will “always and faithfully observe and preserve.” When we have given cheerful service on behalf of another, we are “observing and preserving” these traditions.

When we worship our God, we are  "observing and preserving” these traditions.  When we are honest, self-reliant, hard working, and disciplined, we are “observing and preserving” these traditions. As patrol members, when we perform our tasks such as cooking, and gathering firewood, we are “observing and preserving” these traditions. When we work to keep the United States as the beacon of light of political, religious, and economic freedom of the world, we are “observing and preserving” these  traditions.

Our nation was  founded using self-reliance, discipline, a good work ethic, and faith in God. The nation they created still attracts millions of people to a country where we have the right to eat the bread which we earn by our own hands without anybody’s leave. Throughout our history, our nation has destroyed the despots, dictators, and thugs who would enslave his fellow man’s thoughts and life. Some people apologize for these actions. They apologize or ridicule traditions such as duty, honor, self-reliance, selfdiscipline, frugality, and religious faith. We do not. These are the traditions which make our nation great. In the OA, we promise at every meeting to “observe and preserve” these traditions. We are proud of traditions because they are Scouting traditions.

My youth “attaboy” of the month goes to Gage Currin for being inducted in the Fall, volunteering and working on the Dance Team, serving as an elangomat in the Spring, and being elected as a Chapter Chief in the Spring. My adult “attaboy” goes to Col. Bob Hoelscher. Before he went through his Ordeal this Spring, Col. Hoelscher was already working to obtain National Guard assistance to move the OA Cabin to Knox and trying to arrange a group of soldiers to help with Beaver Day. All of this was to help the Lodge before he was inducted.