Once I came back from Vietnam, I moved on. But it was nice to talk to somebody who had experienced it and to find out what happened to a few other people.

It was exhilarating. You're going into the service to serve your country but then to have that take place was like icing on the cake. It gave you goose bumps.

I went through scouting as a young man, and I also was an Eagle Scout. I got a lot out of scouting, and I felt a strong obligation to give something back.

It really is enjoyable working with the young men and watching them learn. Scouting builds character, teamwork and leadership.

When I was a boy, there wasn't too many after school activities out there, like the Boy Scouts. Now scouting competes with so many things. When I was really young, the socialization was the biggest thing I learned and later the leadership skills.

I'm happy that I'm alive. I feel like someone coming back from Vietnam, you know; I'm sure that later on I'll start killing people in a square somewhere, but right now, I just feel happy to be alive.