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Eighth Roosevelt Memorial Pilgrimage 
Saturday, October 29, 1927
 Oyster Bay, L. I., NY

Scout Troops within an area of fifty miles were invited to participate. They came by train, automobile, trucks and afoot.  Provision was made for those Troops that wished to prepare their own luncheons.  Some Troops made the pilgrimage the occasion of an overnight hike.

All Troops mobilized at 2:15 at a convenient point within easy walking distance of the grave of Theodore Roosevelt.  A picturesque feature was added by the Order of the Buckskin Men, in costume (appropriate costumes for a similar pilgrimage could be worn by old pioneers, or Local Council Members).

The Color Squads brought the Colors to the front, the Scout bands sounded, and, led by the National Scout Commissioner, the procession marched in fours to the cemetery.  Here the Color Guards massed the colors at Roosevelt's grave.  The National Scout Commissioner laid a wreath upon the grave, and delegates from Troops that had brought wreaths did the same.  The boys then passed the grave in single file, saluting the colors, and reassembled in Council and Troop formation at a convenient place outside the cemetery for the remainder of the program.  Prominent citizens addressed the Scouts.  The Responses which are reproduced here were written by James West, the National Scout Commissioner, and could be used at any, patriotic occasion,

What Americanism Means

by James West

RESPONSES

As Used By Troop 1, BSA of the Dan Beard Outdoor School

(The public is welcome to use this, but please give the school credit.)

Leader: (1) What is America?
Response: America is the realization of the hopes of the oppressed people of the world since the dawn of history.

Leader: (2) What more is America?
Response: It is an answer to the prayers of down trodden people since time began.

Leader: (3) What obligation does America impose on her citizens ?
Response: To accept responsibility, and appreciate the joy of usefulness.

Leader: (4) What is the greatest gift America can bestow? 
Response: Citizenship.

Leader: (5) Why?
 Response: Because it required the heroism and devotion of a Washington, the vision of a Jefferson, the wisdom of a Franklin, and the soul and life blood of a Lincoln, to create it and maintain it.

Leader: (6) What do we believe to be our mission?
Response: We believe that the American people by right living and example are now working out the problems of humanity which will benefit all mankind and eventually free the world from oppression.

Leader: (7) What is an American?
Response: One who upholds the principles of the Declaration of Independence and respects the Constitution of the United States and cheerfully obeys its laws without equivocation or evasion.

Leader: (8) What is the Declaration of Independence?
Response: The statement made by our forefathers, giving the reasons why we must be an independent nation with friendship for ail and malice towards Done.

Leader: (9) What is the Constitution?
Response: The foundation principles upon which our government rests.

Leader: (10) How was our nation born?
Response: Out of the hardship, privation and struggle of men, out of finest ideals of their souls, and the prayers of the world. God furnished inspiration, gathered a people, made them a nation, founded on kindliness, endowed it with a great mission, and called it AMERICA.