On January 7, 2025, NCAC Scouts and leaders from Troop 500, Troop 544, and Troop 98 in Washington, D.C., and Troop 1107 in Springfield, VA, paid their respects as former President Jimmy Carter was lying in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda.
Lying in state in the United States is the rare honor either authorized by a congressional resolution or approved by the congressional leadership, for a deceased member of government (or former member) whereby his or her remains are placed in the rotunda of the United States.
It is fitting that a contingent from the National Capital Area Council honored Jimmy Carter in this way as he was a long-time and dedicated Scout leader serving as a Cubmaster, Troop Committee Member, Committee Chair, Scoutmaster, and Exploring Advisor who demonstrated the Scout Oath and Law throughout his life.
Bryan Martin Firvida, Scoutmaster of Troop 98 and NCAC Executive Board Member, said, “As a group, we came to a Scout Salute three times for President Carter to represent the three parts of the Scout Oath. President Carter certainly fulfilled his Duty to God and Country, Duty to Others, and Duty to Self, and set an example for all of us to strive for. I must admit that each time we held our Scout Salute, a shiver of emotion went down my spine.”
“Our honor guard at the Rotunda in the US Capitol was absolutely spectacular, and spine chilling for me as we were saluting the President. You can all be very proud of our Scouts. To me, high adventure aside, this is part of what Scouting is all about,” Jay Eidson, NCAC International Representative.
A delegation of scouts from Scouting America’s National Capitol Area Council troops salutes as they pay their respects in front of the flag-draped casket at the Lying in State Ceremony for former President Jimmy Carter at the US Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC on January 8, 2025. Carter, the 39th President of the United States, died at the age of 100 on December 29, 2024 at his home in Plains, Georgia. (Photo by Samuel Corum / AFP) (Photo by SAMUEL CORUM/AFP via Getty Images) (SAMUEL CORUM/AFP via Getty Images)
Watch our Scouts in the Rotunda:
