For this week's Scoutmaster Minute, I relay an article from last week's New York Post:
"A New York City good Samaritan proved that chivalry isn't dead after she discovered a wallet containing thousands of dollars in Times Square — and got it back to its rightful owner. The noble deed occurred Wednesday morning while Honduras native Eduardo Martinez was walking through the tourist-inundated area to get to work. During his commute, the man reportedly dropped his wallet, which contained $4,000 cash along with standard wallet items, near Broadway and 49th Street. Upon realizing what had transpired, the panicked man returned to the crowded area, whereupon he was approached by two police officers. They explained that they'd been given a wallet by an unnamed woman who had been commuting to work at the same time as Martinez. After verifying his identification, the cops reunited the relieved fellow with his money pouch, which, incredibly, still had all the contents inside, including the four grand. Martinez said in Spanish that he's grateful to the cops and the woman who returned it to him, adding that their act of kindness proves that there are still honest people in the world."
Many people, given the opportunity for easy cash, would have made the wrong decision and kept the money, possibly tossing the wallet in the nearest garbage receptacle. Others would have gone ever farther, emptying Martinez's checking account through his debit card, maxing out his credit card, and maybe even using his Personal Identifiable Information on his driver's license to open up fraudulent accounts to further capitalize from his misfortune. Yet, here is an anonymous woman who took steps to get the wallet and contents back to the owner, without looking for a reward or taking any portion of the contents for herself. In the same scenario, with $4000 cash in hand, can you say that you would do the same? I pray the answer is yes.
Living a life of principles keeps us on the straight and narrow. The values that you pledge to when you recite the Scout Oath and Law are not just a direction for those aged 10 to 18. These are life principles -- they keep on what is sometimes the hard right when we are presented with the easy wrong. These principles define us and this is why our community can rely upon us to do the right thing, even when no one is watching.
A Scout is Trustworthy.