PPM

PPM (Proud Papa Moment from January 5, 2013...)

Good evening.

My name is Charles.

I am the Order of the Arrow Representative for Troop 701.

Thank you for coming to this special dinner tonight.

Tom Nestor was a few years older than me so I did not really know him in High School. I know he was an active soccer player and was captain of the Varsity Team. I do know he was a natural leader.

Tom worked at REI. There are other folks here tonight who, I am sure, can tell work stories. I know Tommy loved working there. I know he sold me and my father lots of camping gear. And I know it was all the right gear.

I first met Tom right after I crossed over from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. He was the Senior Patrol Leader. He led by example. I don’t know where to begin. I have his letter welcoming me to the troop. He got everyone to wear their Class A’s and show up at meetings on time with pen and paper. He knew all the knots and lashings. He encouraged the Scouts to go on camping trips. He knew what to do if you forgot the gas line to the propane stove. He was a master at dutch oven cooking. He always seemed to put his tent in the spot that got the best sunset. Sunrise was not his strong suit.

Two particular things stick out for me:

Tom’s Eagle Project and Philmont.

His Eagle Project – The Flag Retirement Ceremony on the Lake and setting up Flag Collection Boxes in Wakefield have become a permanent part of Troop 701. Getting Wakefield’s community groups to take part in his project and to continue this tradition is special. And know, in his honor, the Troop performs Flag Retirement Ceremonies in town and on our camping trips.

Troop 701 was fortunate to be able to send a contingent to Philmont in 2010. Other than Mr. Robinson, I don’t think there was anyone more excited to go than Tom. But he was quiet about it, taking it all in. He led when he needed to lead; he stepped back when he needed to step back; he made fun of my war on mini bears; he sumped when sumping was needed. He had a natural attraction to hummingbirds, which drove us all crazy. And he had those goofy toe shoes.

On one of our last days on the trail, when we were all pretty sick of each other, Tom was leading the way down endless switchbacks. We were bickering, complaining, trying to decide which Monty Python movie was better. He stopped us.

He said “Guys, shut up! We’re at Philmont. Look at what’s all around you. Take it in.”

I miss him.