Remembering William John Bushelle
William Bushelle graduated from Ladue High School in 1994. He was also a scout in troop 344 and progressed through the ranks, leaving our troop as an Eagle. He earned the Scout Honor medal for saving the life of a classmate, who was on fire after a bunsen burner had lit a cloud of highly flammable gas that had enveloped her. William ran for a fire blanket and doused the flames. Students in the classrooms down the hall became aware of the situation when William called for help. The flames were out, but he had also suffered severe burns on his hands and arms.
William went on to become a Navy SEAL and during his service finished his college degree. He served in Germany and Spain before volunteering for Operation Iraqi Freedom and was deployed to the Al Anbar region of Iraq. In his civilian career, William Bushelle was an Industrial Engineer with Boeing.
His personal decorations include Navy Commendation Medal with Valor, Navy Achievement Medals, Meritorious Service Medals, Combat Action Ribbon, Iraq Campaign Medal and various other unit and service awards (see his legacy here).
William Bushelle was involved in a car accident in Las Vegas earlier this year. He did not survive. He was 42 years old.
A Heritage of Nearly 80 Years
William Bushelle graduated 20 years ago. While his life may have been much too short, it was certainly a life of service to his country and others around him. A life worthy of the rank of Eagle in Boy Scouts.
Remembering individuals such as William Bushelle reinforces the principles we hold dear and why the Boy Scouts still exist today. It demonstrates that there is a reason why Troop 344 has been around for such a long time. The effort we all put forth to make our troop what it is today, is based on values that have been passed along for several generations.
Nobody is suggesting that every scout needs to become a Navy SEAL. But it is certainly clear that giving back has a far greater impact than anything else we might do; not just to society in general, but also to our local communities and even to individuals dear to us.
Service works. Service is remembered. Service is what makes a scout a Scout. Make it part of your life as well.
Yours in Scouting,
Filip Everaert
Troop 344 