‘If We Erase our History in an Attempt to Get Rid of the Shortcomings of Our Forefathers, We Invariably Lose the Legacy of Their Greatness’
December 6, 2021
GREENVILLE, S.C.— As monuments to America’s history continue to be removed or forgotten, Trail Life USA (TrailLifeUSA.com) CEO Mark Hancock is encouraging parents and guardians to remember the greatness of those who came before.
“Until recently, boys grew up emulating real-life heroes who seemed larger than life,” Hancock stated. “Today, rather than exalting men for their significant contributions, our culture is dismissing the heroism of fathers and forefathers and choosing instead to emphasize their shortcomings. Statues of men are disappearing as history is rewritten to cater to sanitized non-toxic definitions of masculinity. In a world void of strong courageous heroes and sterilized of risk, boys are disappearing into fantasy. Superheroes replace real-life role-models and virtual video games become substitutes for real-life challenges.”
As society continues to discount the great deeds of extraordinary men in American history, Hancock argues that the result of this watered-down version of events will be boys who are ungrounded in the truths of the past and uninspired to strive for greatness in the future. Hancock commented, “If we erase our history in an attempt to get rid of the shortcomings of our forefathers, we invariably lose the legacy of their greatness. Part of what makes scripture so inspiring is that great heroes like David, Moses, Abraham, Elijah, Samson, Noah, Jonah, and Peter were both heroic and flawed. They failed, stood up, brushed themselves off and failed again—AND they achieved great things.”
Honoring the past to build a brighter future is a foundation that is pivotal to Hancock and Trail Life, the largest Christ-centered, boy-focused scout-type organization in the country. With a vision to be the premier national character development organization for young men which produces godly and responsible husbands, fathers, and citizens, Trail Life is determined to continue this growth trend into the next year and beyond. Trail Life’s dedication to raising up godly men of character continues to make a lasting impact on the culture, local communities, and boys all across America.
In order to inspire the boys of today to be the great men of tomorrow, Trail Life uses tried and true methods that speak to the heart of a boy—experiencing adventure, overcoming fear, taking risks, proving strengths, developing abilities, earning rewards, and being guided by male mentors who teach important lesson about character, faith, and leadership—all in the great outdoors.
“In the outdoors, the experience of adults is never obsolete,” stated Hancock. “It is a natural place for boys to find mentors, fathers and sons to connect, important relationships to be fostered, and for boys to find opportunities to achieve significant accomplishments. The outdoors is a place for boys to mature and become men in community with godly men.”
To see more of Hancock’s thoughts about the importance of honoring legacies, see his recent OPED published in the Chrisitan Post.
Trail Life USA is the premier national character development organization for young men, producing godly and responsible husbands, fathers, and citizens. Trail Life’s mission is to guide generations of courageous young men to honor God, lead with integrity, serve others, and experience outdoor adventure. Troops exist in all 50 states and are growing as Trail Life USA expands around the country. Find a Troop for your son today, or Start a Troop in your area. Find out more at TrailLifeUSA.com.
Trail Life USA’s K-12 program centers on outdoor experiences that build a young man’s skills. A robust awards program motivates young men to grow on a personal level to become role models and leaders among their peers. Living the Trail Life USA is a journey established on timeless values derived from the Bible.
Discover more about Trail Life USA at TrailLifeUSA.com, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, or Vimeo.
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To interview Mark Hancock from Trail Life USA, contact Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, Jeff Tolson, 610.584.1096, ext. 108, or Deborah Hamilton, ext. 102.