OT: A guy from my troop....

[daveblackeye15]

My Boy Scout troop has been really small for the last few years so we know everyone's name and the person pretty well. Well this weekend I went up to the mountains for Ice Cap and I had gotten a ride from the Burtons . When I was expecting them to pick me up Mrs. Burton called and said they'd be late because something had come up and would tell me when they got me. I noticed that the she was speaking to me in a depressed tone. Let me tell you about this one guy that use to be in my troop. His name was Stephen and he was probably the nicest guy in the whole troop. I didn't really know him well but it was nice to see him at the meetings. My brother was also once in the troop and he mentored Stephen, and later one Stephen ,in a way, became my mentor. Seveal months ago his familiy moved up to Washington and I figured I'd never see them again. Well it turned out I would because Stephen had only a few weeks ago gained his Eagle rank (the highest rank in Boy Scouts and very hard to achieve) and he was planning on coming down to Eugene and having his Ceremony here. We were talking about this just last Tuesday. Well he's what I learned from the Burtons: When Stephen had gone up to Washington he started working for the Humane society. After a while of working there he somehow got his hands on chlorofine(ms) and for some reason, he sniffed it. It turns out that when you smell this chemical it causes you to hallucanite. Well Stephen some how thought that he had cancer and that the only way to cure himself was by suicide. He had died  by hanging himself. I just can't imagine what his mom or brother felt when they found Stephen hanging there because they're very religous. I'm really sorry I brought this up but I really needed to tell somebody this and I feel a little better now. Again I'm very sorry to you all for hearing this.

To Stephen who was one of the rare to make it to Eagle.

[Deej]

I'm sorry for your loss Dave. If any of us can help in any way, let us know.

[Tilebreaker]

Somethings you can't be prepared for and this is one.  It's really tough to lose a friend especially one from scouts. congradulations on him getting his eagle.  several of my friends got thiers and it's something they all cherish.  I hope he enjoyed the feeling of earning it after all the merit badges and service hours.

[Flangepart]

No sweat Dave....sometimes, ya just gotta vent.
Its part of the BBS community. We share the good with the bad. Thats how life is.

[Lee]

Sorry to hear that Dave. Don't appologise to us for bringing it up. Sometimes things come up that you can't and shouldn't keep quiet about.

[Neon Noodle]

I agree with Lee - I frequently being OT topics in here to vent. My Condolences.

[The Burgomaster]

One of my very best friends shot himself on Christmas when he was about 24 years old (about 15 or 16 years ago . . . wow . . . where has the time gone?)  It was a terrible experience . . . something that I hope I don't ever have to deal with again.  I'm sorry to hear about Stephen.