Boy Scouts turns 100; New Year's Day for Asians

Years ago, when my son, Timothy, now 21, was still in grade school, I served Cub Scout Pack 44 in Redding as an Assistant Cub Master and then two years as Cub Master.

Chartered by Redding Rotary, Cub Scout Pack 44 met at Manzanita Elementary School and served much of west Redding.

I bring all this up because Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, marked the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America founded by Chicago publisher William Boyce and based on a program started in England in 1907-08 that was created by General Robert Baden-Powell.

Currently, more than 4 million youths are involved in Scouting's age-related activities that range from Tiger Cubs through Explorer programs in several vocational areas.

Since its inception in America in 1910, more than 110 million Americans have been members of the Boy Scouts of America.

The BSA goal is to train youths in responsible citizenship, character development and self-reliance through participation in a wide range of outdoor activities, educational programs and, at older age levels, career-oriented programs in partnership with community organizations.

For younger members, the Scout method teaches trustworthiness, good citizenship and outdoor skills.

Sunday, Valentine's Day, also marked the beginning of three days of Lunar New Year celebrations in China, Korea and Vietnam.

Americans whose roots stem from those three countries celebrated the event as well.

I was fortunate enough to be a guest at Kim Chamberlain's Korean-American Baptist Church in Redding, where nearly 50 people gathered for a Sunday-morning worship service in their native Korean tongue, then met socially next door for songs, games, traditional foods and customs.

Veneration of elders is very important in South Korean culture, and the Lunar New Year is a time for special attention.

Three of the community's oldest members were lovingly and carefully escorted to one area of the carpeted room where three gilded and brocaded pillows were arranged in a row on the floor.

Getting down to floor level certainly wasn't easy for the two men and one woman being venerated, but no one complained overly much and after a few tries, everyone succeeded in looking mostly comfortable kneeling or sitting upon the pillows.

Meanwhile, a dozen or more high school and college students stood in a line facing the elders. After singing a traditional Korean New Year's Day song, the teenagers then bowed their heads and hands to the floor as the elders watched, then returned the gesture.

Had the elders been more prepared, perhaps they would have presented each of the teenagers with a coin or other small token gift signifying a wish for prosperity and good health in the year to come — the Asian year of the tiger.

The tiger, one of 12 animal signs of the Chinese zodiac, is considered one of the luckiest as well.