President Herbert Hoover once said, “The glory of the nation rests in the character of her men. And character comes from boyhood.” In simpler times, we knew this instinctively. Great American presidents like Hoover and Teddy Roosevelt recognized the value of raising boys who would become strong, courageous and honorable men. Roosevelt said, “Any boy is worth nothing if he has not got courage… the man and boy who count have the courage to stand up against the forces of evil, and courage to stand up in the right path.”
Today, those truths teeter on the edge of extinction. In the rush of modern culture, we are abandoning the very virtues that shape not just individuals, but entire nations. Masculinity is under siege. Boys are told their natural instincts — to lead, to take risks, to stand firm and to defend — are not just outdated, but dangerous, branding these essential qualities as “toxic.” Yet, when disaster strikes — whether it’s hurricanes, wars or social upheaval — these are the very traits that we most desperately need.
In the wake of recent hurricanes, like Helene and Milton, men have risen to the challenge. They have rushed into the storm, not away from it, answering the cries for help when many would retreat. They are showing the kind of courage and compassion that has always defined biblical masculinity. This isn’t hollow bravado or reckless aggression; it’s bravery harnessed by wisdom, strength tempered by humility, and action guided by self-restraint. It’s the essence of manhood: men strong enough to risk it all, yet gentle enough to care for others.
What we’re seeing is a reflection of values our nation used to celebrate — values that shaped generations of men who stormed the beaches of Normandy and endured the harsh winter of Valley Forge. These were men who didn’t shy away from hard choices or personal sacrifice but faced them with the courage and resolve boyhood prepared them for.
I see that type of boyhood alive and well in Trail Life Troops across America. Here boys are experiencing outdoor adventures that challenge their physical and mental limits, forging bonds of brotherhood, and engaging in meaningful conversations that go beyond the superficial. More importantly, they are learning what it means to serve, to lead with confidence, to act with courage, and to live out their faith with boldness. In a world of instant gratification, these boys are learning timeless lessons that prepare them for real life.
As a nation, we stand in turbulent times — battered by natural disasters, divided by politics, and adrift in cultural confusion. The solution is not complex, but it is urgent: we need strong men of character, men of decisive action, and men of unwavering faith. Men brave enough to lead, but humble enough to follow God’s guidance.
With an election looming and storms — both literal and figurative — bearing down on us, we must confront a hard truth: Are we raising boys who will rise to meet the challenges of this world? Are we instilling in them the courage, selflessness, and integrity our nation so desperately needs? Or are we allowing the virtues that have sustained us through our darkest hours to fade away?
In moments of crisis, it’s not empty rhetoric or ideologies that will save us. It’s men of action. Men who confront adversity with courage and compassion, who understand that true power lies in service and sacrifice. These men don’t just happen; they are shaped and molded through intentional guidance and a commitment to biblical truth.
The drive and daring of boys have always been the raw material for creating men of strength, honor and resilience. We must be relentless in our mission to cultivate these traits in boys across America — preparing them to be the kind of men our nation needs now more than ever. Because the future of our country doesn’t rest on policies or parties — it rests on the character of the men who will lead us through the storms ahead.
John Adams once warned that liberty cannot be preserved without knowledge of the character of our leaders. But I would add that liberty cannot be preserved without men of character willing to lead. Today, we are at a crossroads. Will we allow the forces of our time to erode the values that made us strong, or will we seize this moment to raise up a new generation of men who live with courage, conviction and compassion?
As the storms of our time gather strength, our nation’s strength lies not in wealth or might, but in the character of the men we raise. The time to invest in that character is now. The stakes couldn’t be higher. Our future is watching — let’s not fail it.
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