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daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Jason Jones)
Sat Nov 22 13:43:57 1997
Date: Sat, 22 Nov 1997 13:41:28 -0500
Reply-To: Jason Jones <jjones@CAPITAL.EDU>
From: Jason Jones <jjones@CAPITAL.EDU>
To: Multiple recipients of list APO-L <APO-L@VM.CC.PURDUE.EDU>
To: multiple recipients of APO-L <APO-L@VM.CC.PURDUE.EDU>
Hey, Brothers, check it out:
Last week I was thinking about getting back in touch with our roots in Alpha Phi Omega, namely by reaffiliating with a Cub/Boy Scout troop as a scoutmaster, when by sheer coincidence, the pastor of my church just this morning wanted to know if I would be interested in becoming a scoutmaster of a Cub Scout AND a Boy Scout troop. Needless to say, I accepted.
My purpose is two-fold: first, I wanted to reaffirm my commitment to Scouting, something that was difficult for me to do when I was a Boy Scout 15+ years back (Troop 029, Westpark United Methodist Church). And secondly, I want to know for myself, or rather, experience some of the basic elements that Frank Reed Horton did that prompted the founding of Alpha Phi Omega. As many of you know, for the first 42 years, the Alpha Phi Omega connection with Scouting was strong, was proud, was THERE (b/c you had to be a [former] Scout to join, no ifs, ands, or buts about it). Basically, I wanted to find Alpha Phi Omega's ROOTS!!!
As far as how Alpha Phi Omega functions now as it relates to Scouting, from what I understand from pasts posts and conventions, is that it's there, but it's not there. I want to say right now that I am not discouraging females, atheists, homosexuals, or non-Scouts from joining A-Phi-O, nor is my intent to infringe on their right to join. However, as a monotheistic, God-fearing heterosexual male who pledged Alpha Phi Omega for it's service and it's unique foundation based in Scouting, IMHO I have every right to promote Scouting and what it stands for, even if other brothers don't see my point of view. AFAIC, if I can't feel the roots in the fraternity itself, I can feel it in what prompted the founding, which is what's important to me (and a lot of other brothers).
P.S. Don't be surprised if I start adressing myself as a Beta Sigma Alpha (for those who know), or BESA for short. But NEVER will I forget the Alpha Phi Omega. I am hoping this this will not be a passing fad or stage.
I'm out (Skeet Skeet!)
Jason M. Jones aka Jumpy
Alpha Phi Omega at heart, BESA in spirit
Brother of the Rising Sun for Life!!!
"I wish you would try to arrest me. You'll be wearing three shoes.
Two on your feet and one in your a**"
-Bernie Mac, scene from "Who's the Man?" (movie)
