Future city leaders share rights, duties of citizenship

At the Oct. 28 Navasota City Council meeting, those in attendance got a reminder of what it means to be a good citizen, thanks to local Boy Scout Pack 361 who led the pledges to the U.S. and Texas flags. But their contribution to the meeting and civic responsibility didn’t end there.

Pack leader Allison Sweeney told council, “The Arrow of Light boys in Pack 361, in about six months, will be Boy Scouts. They’re Cub Scouts right now and we’re learning to be really good citizens. The boys wanted to tell you what they’re learning about what the rights and duties are of a citizen.”

Sweeney continued, “Someday, we’re going to look up and these little faces are going to be right here where you guys are sitting. We’re teaching them the right things.”

The six pack members took turns at the podium sharing the rights of a citizen: Freedom to express yourself, freedom to worship as you wish, right to a prompt and fair trial by jury, right to vote in elections for public officials, right to apply for employment and to apply for U.S. citizenship, right to run for elected office and the right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.

The Scouts followed the rights with the duties of a citizen: Support and defend the Constitution, stay informed of the issues affecting your community, participate in the democratic process, respect and obey federal, state and local laws, respect the rights, beliefs and opinions of others, participate in the local community, pay taxes honestly and on time to federal, state and local authorities, serve on juries when called upon and defend the country if the need should arise.

Pack 361 ended their presentation with an “interactive” song about their love of crunchy potato chips, Boy Scouts and Navasota!