August 22, 2005

Good morning everyone.  From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank all of you for being here.  

Today we gather to celebrate life by dedicating this wonderful statue in tribute to Timmy S*******.  I am Timmy’s dad. 

It seems like only a short time ago that Timmy spent his last day of school.  He and his classmates went on a field trip that day.  Timmy had a fun-filled day at the Museum of Nature and Science doing what he loved the most – learning about dinosaurs.  And then, just after school, Timmy was tragically taken from us.  Up to now, we have mourned for our friend Timmy.  We all miss Timmy.  We miss him terribly.  

In just a little bit, you will see the statue.  I want you to look at this young boy holding his eagle and think about Timmy.  There are so many reasons why the statue of Timmy just had to be with an eagle.  Timmy was a Cub Scout.  Guess what den he was in?   That’s right, we were the “eagle” den.   I held a small celebration when Timmy and his den mates crossed over into boy scouts.  I gave each one of them a secret Lakota name.  Guess what Timmy’s name was?  It was “WANBLI,” which means “eagle.”  You see the picture over on the table of Timmy posing with an eagle.  He was so proud of that picture.  There were eagle themes that seemed to just appear when I was planning his funeral, and two weeks later when I was on a canoe trip, an eagle swooped down and sat on a sandbar while I paddled by.  Timmy wanted more than anything to be an Eagle Scout, which is the highest rank in scouting.  The Boy Scout National Court of Honor posthumously awarded Timmy this badge and a “Spirit of the Eagle Award.”   He achieved his goal.   And in the end, Timmy is truly soaring “on wings like eagles.”    

What does this statue called “Timmy’s eagle” say to you?   To me, of course, it reminds me of my precious son.  It carries Timmy’s name forward in a living, vibrant way.   But this beautiful statue is much more than that.  It is a symbol of celebration.  It represents  “HOPE” -- hope for the future of every young person like you, with their whole life ahead of them.  May this statue inspire YOU with energy, faith, devotion, and courage to seek after your dreams with your whole heart and reach them.

There is one more little thing that I ask each of you to do.  You see, Timmy was an energetic boy especially on the playground.  He was always creating some sort of secret spy club or another.  Here’s what I want you to do.  I want all of you to become an official member of the SSSSTS – the Secret Society of Stealthy Service in memory of Timmy S*******.  I want you to think of some good deed that you can do for someone else.  Then go do it secretly in Timmy’s name.  We have handed out these “Timmy” cards.  Each of you needs one.  I want you to use the cards and leave them after you do your good deed.  If you use one of these cards and do your good deed in secret, you become an official member of the SSSSTS.  
 
I would now like to recognize and thank a few people.

First of all, Kris and I thank you, Guy, and Anne, and First Data Corporation, and Computer Associates for supporting us through this difficult time and for honoring my boy like you have.  It makes me proud to be associated with you.  This has touched us deeply.  Thank you.   

Next, let me introduce to you Eagle Scout candidate, Nick Rome.  Nick took on the project to plan and build the pedestal for “Timmy’s Eagle.”   Under his guidance, we worked hard this summer to build this pedestal, mixing and pouring over 70 bags of cement in 105 degree heat.  This is his completed Eagle project.  I think it looks pretty good, don’t you.  How about a big thank you for Nick.  

Over there, ready to reveal the statue are Timmy’s brothers.  Nate is his twin brother, and Matt is his older brother.  And there is Timmy’s mom.   

Finally, I would like to introduce to you my good friend and mentor, Harold Linke.  Harold was my leader in a special Boy Scout leadership training course, and became my friend long before we asked him to use his talents to create this statue.  With our scouting connections, and his understanding of Timmy’s connection to the eagle, it was just meant to be that Harold was asked to be the sculptor………..Harold.