Ethan Lummis - B.S.A.  

My name is Mrs. Tonya Rooke. I'm the mother of a young scout named Bradley Rooke who joined the BSA in August of last year.

The reason Brad got into BSA was because of a very special young boy in our neighborhood, named Ethan Lummis who was 11 years old. He became my son's friend 6 years ago, when they met for the first time through the theater group The Galway Players. The boys subsequently performed with Galway Players together in more than 5 productions. They attended the Joseph Henry Elementary school together throughout grade school.

In about the 4th grade Ethan was diagnosed with Tourettes Syndrome. With his Dad and Mom Ethan went into the school to help educate all the teachers and children to understand what Tourettes was. He went on to become an Educator for Tourettes, and even appeared on the Maury Povich show in Feb. of 1999.

Bradley and Ethan had continued to attend each others birthday parties, sleep overs, as well as other events. Last year Bradley joined BSA Troop # 55 Galway, NY, because Ethan was a member and because Ethan's dad Harry Lummis was a Troop leader.

Brad quickly and eagerly with Ethan's help began working on gaining badges and merits to catch up with many of the boys, subsequently going on to cross over with the entire troop in Nov. of 2000.

I've seen these two small boys grow physically, emotionally, and as friends for the past 6 years. I've seen Bradley look up to Ethan many times, when he sometimes came home telling me about something that Ethan may have done or said that he thought was so courageous, or brave. He also spoke about how outgoing Ethan was, how he was so funny, and how he liked being with "His Bud." Brad told me how they attempted to write their own play, or how they'd laugh together, or just plain be what sounded like typical silly young boys. In August of 2001 Troop # 55 attended a summer camp, where Bradley came home telling many tales of laughter, fun, leadership, and work the whole troop had done.

Sadly, with a very broken heart, I'm writing to ask that you post a memorial in memory of Ethan Lummis who was killed on September 6, 2001, when he was accidentally hit and killed by a pick up truck out in front of his home. Ethan's parents Harry and Becky Lummis were subsequently given an award in Ethan's name, by the scout masters of Troop # 55 for Ethan's participation at summer camp; and his overall level of leadership, and performance as an exemplary scout. They stated that he was one of the finest examples of a scout they'd ever seen.
Many people in our community were deeply saddened to learn of his death as I'm sure any community would be.

Over the past two months I've watched many of these people grieving, as I myself have. I watch my son Bradley who continues to break my heart. Even today, I see him trying to rationalize and grieve the loss of his long time "Bud" and friend, where I can't make it all better like a Mom should be able to. So I'm asking that you post the memorial in memory of my son Bradley's "Bud" Ethan Lummis. I hope that this somehow may help him.

Thank you,

Mrs. Tonya Rooke.

Submitted 12 November 01