Eagle Scout Honor Court and my Greco-American Hosts

On April 27th I was honored to attend the Fifth Annual Distinguished Citizens Award Dinner hosted by the Cape Cod and Islands Council of the Boy Scouts of America. I was the guest of Spyro and Dino Mitrokostas, two long time supporters of the BSA. They had purchased a table at which several of us assembled tthat night at Christopher's Restaurant in South Yarmouth, MA. More about them later on.
It was a wonderful evening in which 2004-2005 Class of Eagle Scouts were recognized along with their sponsors--most of whom were also Eagle Scouts when they were young. And the saying in Scouting is that "Once and Eagle Scout, Always an Eagle Scout."
Paul covell, Master of Cermonies was witty and provacative as he spoofed some of the other guests including Cape Cod Times Publisher Peter Meyer and Barnstable County Sheriff Jim Cummings both of whom joined in the spirit of the evening and traded barbs. Each gave as good as he got. But it was all in the spirit of good fun.
The accomplishments of this new class of Eagles is something to be proud of. They worked hard to earn the merit badges that took years to complete. But they did it.
Hearing them recite the Eagle pledge and the Eagle chard was very moving. As Council President Raymond Hebert said in his published remarks it was a pledge "to give back to Scounting more than it has given me"
"Every Scout in order to to join has to take an Oath of Duty to God and Country, to help other people at all times, to obey the Scout Law to keep himself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight."
These Eagle Scouts, their sponsors and the entire assembly of Scouting Officials, friends and financial supporters all turned out to sing the praises of the Figawi Charities Board of Governors who were this year's recipient of the Distinguished Citizens Award.
With the Boy Scouts in the gunsights of anti-religious bigots out to suppress them, it is heart warming to learn that there are so many out there who still support them financially and spiritually. I was amazed at the number of Eagle Scouts there are in the Community giving, helping and nurturing this wonderful organization. They quietly go about their lives always giving to others and working to create a better community.
My hats off to the Figawai Charities Board of Governors for their hefty contribution to the Boy Scouts. They need every dollar that can be found to support the wonderful work they do in preparing young people to lead exemplary lives and in turn lead others by example.
Previous benefactors honored with Distinguished Citizen Awards includ Dorren and Chuck Bilezikian, Sheriff James M> Cummings, former Chamber of Commerce Executive John D. O'Brien and former Cape and Islands Senator Henri Raushenbach.
One long time benefactor not honored yet is the Lyndon P. Lorusso Charitible Trust named in honor of the only son of Lila and Paul Lorusso. They have never stopped giving to the community and the Boy Scouts have long been on the receiving end of their generosity. The recent decision by Lila Lorusso to distribute funds from one of their charities gave a substantial donation to the Scouts. They deserve to be honored.
One of the highlights of my evening was sharing the Mitrokostas family table with Walter Brooks founder of Cape Cod Today and Solon Economou who, like me, is a columnist for the Cape Cod Times and a fellow "blogger." In addition to my host, Spyro Mitrokostas, I also met John Paneonnis of Dennnis another Greco American.
Solon, John and Spyro all had roots in Worcester and all of them are extremely proud of their Greek heritage. Listening to them speak with pride and wonder at the benefits they have received as Americans makes me proud to know them. To hear their stories of pride and their fights against predudice which attended their growing up makes me wonder at those who seem to take their freedoms for granted.
So I tip my hat to my Greek American friends and give them a hearty thanks for all that their culture has brought to the American Experience. The Greeks, after all, did give us the very word and concept that resonates in these United States--Democracy.
So it was that on Greek Orthodox Good Friday, I spent the day planting flowers to pay tribute to these proud people for all they have given to the great ideals of western democracy.
--30