Basic Values

The letter (Nov. 11) from Mark Nichols about his brother’s experience as a Boy Scout bugler playing taps at 11 a.m. on Armistice Day 60 years ago reminded me of my own similar experience.

Those of us assigned to downtown Los Angeles intersections had the added treat of being invited to lunch at the Elks Club after our memorial observance. We had sandwiches and soda pop and then got to go swimming in the indoor pool (big thrill). Some of us were so naive that we believed the story about there being some real live elks in cages on the roof that they were going to use in Christmas activities.

During the Depression many scout troops (e.g., ours) had scoutmasters who were only partially employed, so they spent a lot of time with us in outdoor activities.

Our scoutmaster, Russell Johnson, a wonderful man, was a schoolteacher and track coach and later became an administrator in the Los Angeles schools. All of us are eternally grateful for the time and effort he expended in our behalf.

No one wants another Depression, but it did do a lot to reinforce important basic values, not the least of which is adults showing genuine concern for kids.

WILLIAM F. POLLOCK

Santa Monica