, Make Your Reservations Today for the Council Dinner  January 22, 2010 

Scouting History Exhibit Opens at Johnson County Historical Society Jan. 17 

How does a Scout go about thanking a Scoutmaster who, through his mentoring and leadership, had such an immense positive impact on the course of his life? As I sit here at my desk and ponder this, hundreds of Boy Scout memories seem to be swirling around in my head of a time long ago that helped lay the ground work for my future. When you are young and all of life looms so big in front of you, perhaps, just don't always realize how the present is affecting and shaping your very future.

Lumir (Lum) Sykora affected and helped shape my future.

Perhaps it was the fact that he had a highly successful Troop 2 that was well attended and very well staffed with volunteer fathers. Or maybe it was his taking specific interest in each of his Scouts; providing the training and tools to learn and encouraging them all along the way.

Perhaps it was his ability to relate to each Scout, see their bright spots and try to encourage more from them. Perhaps it was the professional, but fun, way he conducted Scout meetings. Or how he nurtured Scouts to become leaders within the troop and then let them do their job. Perhaps it was his ability to foster trust on a personal level; he was at his bakery by 3 am every day baking his breads and products. Often many of us would stop in to see him while he worked. He would always have a cold bottle of Pepsi handy and would always take the time to discuss what he was baking and, of course, provide samples while we chatted.  Darn, did that shop smell good! It still does.

Perhaps it was his extremely active weekend programs with numerous camp outs, cook outs, planting trees or helping with other conservation projects. And speaking of camp outs! No simple things these were. We camped out primarily in Sutluff. Through the help of volunteer fathers, Lumir conducted many different types of training; night hikes, knots, trees, animals, cooking, survival and many merit badge classes were held. Sure we were able to goof off a bit, (I still remember one of the ghost stories by the roaring fire); but we learned far more. Or maybe it was the enduring friendships that were made among the Scouts; some of which last to this day! He was always so proud of his scouts with a warm soft spot for those who made Eagle. They were his merit badges!

Or perhaps it was Lumir's desire to see his Scouts excel and broaden our knowledge of our world. He encouraged trips to Camp Waubeek, we were always participants at our Hawkeye Downs Fairs, we attended the Valley Forge National Jamboree and heard President Lyndon Johnson speak, Philmont was always talked about and we volunteered at the New York World's Fair. Who could ask for more?

Did I mention that Lumir never had children of his own? What a wonderful gift he gave....himself.

Time wore on. Our lives changed. I moved from the SW to the SE in 1964. I slowly lost contact with Lumir. In 1969 I came home from college that spring to find out Lumir had died a month before. My mother had not told me because she knew I would leave school and come home and my finals were a conflicting issue.

Heartbroken, I dropped by his home and his wife told me Lumir was buried at the Shueyville Cemetery. I drove out to the cemetery and found Lumir's grave. After spending time, upon it I placed my Eagle Scout medal. I am sure that the medal meant as much to him as it did to me. I decided he deserved it more than I did. I earned it but he was the teacher...........and so much more.

My only regret is that I wish I could have given my medal to him while he was alive. Forgive me Lum. And thank you so very much for being such an important part of my life.