| Category: | Inspirational |
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Scouts, I want to share a few lines from a poem written by Walt Whitman. It's called "O Captain! My Captain!" and was written to honor President Abraham Lincoln after his death. Lincoln had led the country through the Civil War, a time of great challenge and division, and Whitman used the metaphor of a ship and its captain to reflect on Lincoln's leadership. Here's an excerpt:
O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done,
The ship has weather'd every rack, the prize we sought is won,
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring;
But O heart! heart! heart!
O the bleeding drops of red,
Where on the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.
Lincoln was the captain of his ship—the United States—and he led with courage, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to what was right, even when the journey was difficult. Like any great leader, he faced storms and sacrifices along the way, but he stayed true to his course, inspiring others to do the same.
As Scouts, each of you has the opportunity to be a leader—a captain of your own ship. Leadership isn't just about titles or giving orders. It's about serving others, making tough decisions, and guiding your team toward success, even in the face of challenges. It's about leaving a legacy of kindness, fairness, and courage for others to follow.
Tonight, I challenge you to think about your role as a leader, whether it's in your patrol, your troop, or even in your family or community. What kind of captain will you be? How will you inspire others and steer your ship through the storms of life?
Remember, great leaders leave their mark not just by what they accomplish, but by how they guide and serve those around them. Be the kind of captain others look up to, and you'll find that even the most difficult journeys are worth the effort.
Let's live up to the example of great leaders before us and show the world the true meaning of Scout spirit.
Full poem follows, if scouts are interested:
O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done,
The ship has weather'd every rack, the prize we sought is won,
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring;
But O heart! heart! heart!
O the bleeding drops of red,
Where on the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.
O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells;
Rise up—for you the flag is flung—for you the bugle trills,
For you bouquets and ribbon'd wreaths—for you the shores a-crowding,
For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;
Here Captain! dear father!
This arm beneath your head;
It is some dream that on the deck,
You've fallen cold and dead.
My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still,
My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will,
The ship is anchor'd safe and sound, its voyage closed and done,
From fearful trip, the victor ship, comes in with object won;
Exult, O shores, and ring, O bells!
But I, with mournful tread,
Walk the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.