Dear Rotarians and Friends,

Please take time to read this heartwarming story.

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: David Collins Date: Sep 24, 2006 8:37 PM Subject: Someone Important

Two ladies were waiting for a bus near St. Augustine's Cathedral in Panglao when they noticed a parade approaching. As the procession drew nearer, they noticed many flags. Mrs., Hora said, "I wonder what the parade is for?" Mrs. Clemens noticed a funeral car behind the flags, and commented, "Its a funeral procession. Look at all the flags;he must be someone important. With all those flags, He must be a military officer." As the procession came closer, Mrs. Hora said "Oh look, it is Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts." Hearing the conversation,was a member of the Parent Teachers Association of Doljo. Mrs. Lepon said,"He is someone important. We are burying a Boy Scout today." " His Name is Tirso Labastida Jr. and he was a member of the Doljo Elementary School Scout Troop 102." During the Mass, in his eulogy, the parish priest said, "Tirso Jr. was important because the Scouts represent our best hope for future leaders of the Philippines. That Scouts teach: duty, honor, trustworthiness, loyalty, conservation, self reliance and service to others." "The Doljo Troop is a community based scouting program. Tirso Jr. and the other scouts performed community service such as beach clean up, village clean up,assembly and delivery of Bundles of Joy to the elderly. They also painted school rooms and planted trees." "Tirso Jr. was important because he was a member of a troop that performed community service. The scouts have set the example for others to follow. To do a good turn daily and to serve their community." Tirso Jr. was brave to the end. In the year of his illness, he was hospitalized twice. He knew that he was dying, but never cried or complained. He died eight days after his thirteenth birthday of T.B. His two older sisters Teresa and Jo Ann, both Girl Scouts from the same troop, did their duty and were at their younger brothers side to the end. Tirso Jr. was laid to rest by his troop. Leading the funeral cortege, was "Flag of our Nation" scout honor guard. The casket was draped in the Philippine Flag. At the cemetery, with dignity and respect, one Boy Scout and One Girl Scout carefully folded the flag and turned it over to the Scout Master. With the respect due a fallen comrade, the Scout Master presented the folded flag to Tirso's Mother. She was so overcome with the emotion of the moment and the finality of the gesture that she fainted. Tirso Labastida was someone important: He was a Boy Scout of the Philippines. Village Aide and Rotary Club of Tagbilaran have sponsored over 4455 indigent boys and girls in Scouting in the last five years. Regards, Dave Collins Scout Master Past President, Rotary Club of Tagbilaran D3860