To the Editor:

For over 83 years the Boy Scouts of America has been striving to uphold the old fashioned values of truth, honesty, respect, and integrity.

These values, which we try to instill in our young people, provide a strong moral code which helps develop future participating citizens of our communities and nation.

But all of this is at risk today! You see, our simple Scout oath has put the Boy Scouts of America nationally under a vicious devastating attack.

Several lawsuits have been filed against us, and we are being picketed by people who demand that we change the very principles upon which we were founded.

They want us to remove the words "God" and "morally straight" from the Scout oath because they feel it violates their freedom of choice.

Now, these special interest groups have pressured some major financial institutions, corporations, and several United Ways in different parts of our country, into stopping their long-standing support for the Boy Scouts of America.

The Boy Scouts of America has taken a stand against these outrageous demands and will remain true to our principles. Our Youth Protection guidelines against the tragic problems of society today drug abuse, hunger, unemployment, and illiteracy, will stand firm as well.

However, ~the good news for Southeast Missouri is this: Everyone of our local and area wide United Ways in Cape Girardeau and Jackson, Sikeston, Butler County, Kennett, Malden, Charleston and Cardwell, without hesitation have continued to support their long standing financial commitment to our worthwhile program of service and character building of youth and young adults.

All of our United Ways in the 14-county area of Southeast Missouri believe in the Boy Scouts of America, and the Boy Scouts of America of Southeast Missouri believe in our local United Ways.

We hope you all will too as we begin this new year.

Mark R. Wappel

Scout Executive

Southeast Missouri Council

Boy Scouts of America