Trail to Leadership

The story of a small Arizona mining town boy who grew up with dreams of travel and adventure and someday donning the uniform of a United States Marine. After joining the Corps at 17 years of age, volunteering for Embassy Duty at 18 years of age and embarking on a 28 year journey to experience all the world had to offer, both good and bad. Two wars and several expeditions and campaigns later he emerged to return to the civilian life he barely remembered and along with his wife to raise their two youngest sons Gunner and Cannon (the eldest Quint would already be on his own path as an adult). The toughest thing for a career Marine and most career veterans to do, is to figure out who they are supposed to be when they hang up the uniform. The author somehow stumbled into his answer when some local parents decided he needed to be a Scoutmaster for their local Boy Scout troop and mentor their young boys. The next ten years would prove the most rewarding as he would help mentor hundreds of boys and over twenty Eagle Scouts, many the sons of single mothers looking for that positive and strong male influence for their sons. Each week the Troop meetings would culminate with a Scoutmasters minute where the author would impart a lesson in character by recounting a tale of combat exploits and personal sacrifice which exemplified the particular trait chosen for that week's lesson. Honor, courage, selflessness, integrity are but a few of the traits covered in this book that will have the reader laughing, crying and often in awe. This book captures these lessons and more. A great read on how to pull your child's head away from the phone, computer or television screen long enough to develop some life skills and a value system that will serve them well in life.