On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
And to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
Mentally awake, and morally straight.

Young men recite these words every day in homes, churches, schools, community centers and American Legion posts. They stand straight, raise their right hands, extend three fingers skyward, and repeat in unison the words of the Scout Oath.

Adopted a year after the Scouting movement arrived here from Britain in 1910, the oath is a time-honored pledge to uphold specific values – moral integrity, discipline, helpfulness, fitness and duty above self among them – that can guide young people throughout their lives. Much like the preamble to The American Legion’s constitution, the Scout Oath is a tenet as relevant today as it was a century ago.

On Feb. 8, 2010, Boy Scouts of America celebrates 100 years of shaping the character of America’s youth.

Intended as an avenue for participating young people to become productive citizens and leaders, Scouting can proudly reflect on a century of making differences in communities across our country.

Recognized as worthy of the Legion’s support at our first national convention in 1919, Boy Scouts of America has had an enduring connection with military service and the nation’s largest veterans service organization ever since. Today, the Legion charters more than 2,700 Scouting units and serves more than 72,000 Scouts.

Last May, the Legion’s National Executive Committee passed a resolution reaffirming our support of Scouting. In recent years, we have stood by Boy Scouts of America in its fight to determine its own leadership and membership criteria, and to continue meeting in public facilities. In 2003, the Legion’s Americanism Commission established The American Legion and Scouting Square Knot Award to recognize Legion family members who work tirelessly to strengthen our 90-year partnership; since then, nearly 400 Square Knot Awards have been given.

In addition, The American Legion Life Insurance Committee provides annual scholarship awards for The American Legion Eagle Scout of the Year. The winner receives a $10,000 scholarship awarded over four years; three runners-up each receive $2,500 scholarships. And every year, the Americanism Commission awards the Frank N. Belgrano Jr. Trophy to the Legion department that has rendered outstanding service to Scouting.

The American Legion and Scouting are connected by shared values, and by a mutual commitment to serve God and country. A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. So, too, is a Legionnaire. In appreciation of all we have shared since 1919, I am honored to render Boy Scouts of America a 100th-anniversary salute and offer best wishes for another century together.

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