Moments before meeting President Barack Obama in the nation’s capital earlier this month, Kevin Garcia, a Boy Scout from Richmond Hill, forgot everything he planned to say.
The 17-year-old Garcia was one of nine Scouts chosen to form a delegation of young people from across the country to represent the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) in Washington, D.C. and present the organization’s annual Report to the Nation. The Boy Scout from Troop 138 was selected as the northeast region representative.
Garcia had a special responsibility attached to his meeting with the President. He had to present a token of gratitude, a coin in a red box that read: “National Delegation 2011.” He also was asked to summarize a report that was presented. During the course of the entire day’s activities leading up to the meeting, which included meeting many members of Congress and senators, Garcia tried to memorize everything he had to say.
“Right before I was about to enter the Oval Office, I forgot everything that I remembered throughout the entire day. It was scary,” Garcia said.
Garcia’s nerves were shortly out-dueled by the President’s calming demeanor.
“He opened the door and said ‘hey guys,’ and everybody was just like, ‘wow’ because nobody expected him to open the door for us,” said Garcia. “Everything then just came back because he had a real calming mood to him. He calmed me down and everything came right back to me. I said my speech and I didn’t stutter.”
The delegation arrived in the nation’s capital on Saturday, February 12. They stayed for visits throughout the week with U.S. Cabinet, House and Senate leadership, the White House, CIA, Pentagon, Supreme Court and Secret Service. The delegation delivered this year’s report to Speaker of the House John Boehner.
This year’s report highlighted the BSA’s achievements during its milestone 100th anniversary year in 2010, including progress on scouting programs that address national service, conservation, healthy living and community involvement.
Garcia said that he “really did not know why he got picked” because unlike other members, he has never saved someone’s life or come up with a new method of operation.
But that does not mean he was undeserving of the honor.
“Kevin is an amazing youth. From when he was little, he was always there to help. One camping trip that sticks out in my mind is when we had 8 boys with us and Kevin was only 11 and had just started the program that year. We had a lot of gear and I told them we had to make several trips to bring everything up to the campsite. I walk up to the road and I saw Kevin carrying a cooler that was bigger than him and two chairs,” said Troop 238 Committee Chair Rosemary Hogan.
“If he can do the job and make someone else’s life easier then he’ll do it and that’s how he has always been,” she said.
Being selected to the Report to the Nation delegation is a tremendous honor for the Scouts and the communities they represent. Each Scout represents the more than 100 million Boy Scouts who have come before them and the millions who will follow.
“For 100 years, the BSA has worked to teach young Americans the importance of doing their duty to their country,” Chief Scout Executive Bob Mazzuca said. “This delegation of young people and report present a great opportunity to discuss the significant and positive impact we’ve had on young Americans, families, and communities, but also to identify how we can continue this tradition of service and leadership well into our next century.”
Garcia is in the last year of Boy Scout eligibility. He intends to be a troop leader based on his strong character traits and his love of camping. He also has advice for future Scouts who receive the same honor that he has just experienced.
“Be flexible and always prepared to do something new. It will never be boring that is for sure. Meeting people from around the world and hearing their stories always is a good thing. Just do not be shy,” Garcia said.
