Do a Good Turn Daily

A little over 81 years ago, Carl Mesle of Independence Missouri told his father he wanted to go the Third International Boy Scout Jamboree in Birkenhead England. His father agreed to pay his way under one condition, Carl would have to earn his Eagle Scout. At the time, the Boy Scouts of America was in its infancy, but Carl agreed. He earned the needed merit badges and shortly after returning from the Jamboree, he was awarded his Eagle badge on September 15, of 1929 by his home town scout troop in Sherrill New York.

Recently, the Heart of America Council, BSA recognized Carl along with 10 other Eagle Scouts with the Ewing Kaufman Adult Eagle Scout Award.

It was this writer's privilege this past week to spend a few minutes with Carl and hear about many of the events between these two recognitions.

"At that time, Bird Study merit badge was required for Eagle. I had to identify 50 birds," Carl shared. "I was able to recognize 5 of the 27 species of sparrows."

"Swimming and Life Saving merit badges were easier for me." This was proven when he swam on the University of Iowa swim team later in college.

Carl remembers as a private, helping his corporal with outdoor skills that he had learned in scouts.

Carl's duties in the Army kept his stateside until he was on the west coast, ready to ship to Japan. He was called back to attend Officers Candidate School where he advanced to the rank of Major before leaving the service. Carl trained to enter the Office of Strategic Services, the fore runner of today's Central Intelligence Agency.

Upon his return to civilian life, he continued his career in scouting in Camden New Jersey. It was while in New Jersey, that Carl met H. Roe Bartle, former mayor of Kansas City and then the Chief Scout Executive of the Kansas City Area Council and founder of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. "Bartle convinced me to come to Kansas City with him and work in his council." Later, Carl became an Honorary Warrior in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say, taking the Tribal Name of Guides Young Men.

Carl also served Scouting in the former Kaw Council, which served the greater Kansas City area on the Kansas side. Kaw Council and Kansas City Area Council would later merge to become the current Heart of America Council. While serving as a professional scouter, Carl also served the Community of Christ Church, formerly RLDS, by training youth leaders and conducting a family enrichment ministry. From 1970 through 1979, Carl served as the pastor of the Stone Church in Independence. He remains active in Troop 223 at that church.

In the days since his retirement in 1979, Carl has been involved in the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast Committee, The Neighborhood Council for Independence Schools and has served as President of the McCoy Neighborhood Council.

His wife Kay of "67 and a half years", passed away a year ago. He has three children, Ann Mesle, a Circuit Judge of Jackson County; Sherry Morain, retired Director of Finance for Graceland University; and Robert Mesle, professor of philosophy and religion at Graceland. He has 5 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.

Carl continues to stay active with counseling and ministry. He also writes for three newsletters. While he allowed this reporter a glimpse of this remarkable life, anyone who passed by would say hello and commented on the influence he has had on the community and the city of Independence.

When asked what he learned most from Scouting, Carl commented, "The Scouting 'Good Turn.'" He has been a member of many great organizations, but what he sees as unique to scouting is the "good turn." We are all fortunate for the many good turns that Carl has done and continues to do.