Date: Sat, 15 Nov 1997 22:28:16 -0000
From: Jimmy Morgan jmorgan @ jaws.greatwhite.com
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Jacob "Jake" Caplan was born on May 10, 1976, in Plantation, Florida to Stan and Vicki Caplan. He was a member of Troop 242 in Carlsbad, New Mexico. Jake was the Senior Patrol Leader. I was his assistant. Jake earned his Eagle on May 9, 1994, one day before he turned 18.

Jake graduated from Carlsbad Senior High in 1994, in Carlsbad, New Mexico. After graduation, he attended Southern Assembly of God University, where he was working as a part-time security guard while studying to become a youth minister.

Jake was traveling home from college on August 9, 1995, when he was involved in a car accident. He was killed in this accident. I was at my grandparent's house when I found out. When I was told of his death, I was shocked. I could not believe that he was gone. Up to this point, I had lost one friend in an accident, but this time it was different. Jake was a person that I had looked up to in Scouting, and he was gone in the blink of an eye, without the chance to say goodbye.

Ever since Jake earned his Eagle, I was not very active in Scouting. I let the little things in life get in the way of going to meetings and finishing my Eagle. When Jake died, it was like a slap in the face telling me to get busy. It made me realize that life was too short to fool around and put things off. Jake's death put things into perspective and encouraged me back into scouting. Because of this encouragement, I became active in Scouting again, and earned my Eagle on Thursday, November 7, 1996.

The thing that made this event even more memorable was the fact that Jake's father, our former Scoutmaster, was the chairman on my board of review. After the formal meeting, Jake's father, Stan, came up to me and me and told me "Thanks for the birthday present". My board of review was on Stan's birthday. Jake's parents have both been very supportive and encouraging to me in Scouting, so I could hardly believe the coincidence. Also, ever since then, I have considered Jake's family part of my own.

Although I will always miss Jake, I will never forget him for the encouragement he has given me, even after he has passed on. When I am struggling in Scouts, or life, I often think back to Jake and remember the things that he, and his death, have taught me. I thank God for sending someone like Jake into my life.

Jimmy Morgan, Eagle Scout, Loving New Mexico

This is a poem that my Aunt gave me just after Jake's death. It always gives me encouragement whenever I am down:

A Prayer for You

Today I said a prayer

To help you through the day

I asked the father for Wisdom

To send upon your way.

I asked Him to guide you

In all you attempt to do

To give you His Confidence

And Strength to help you Through.

I prayed for Understanding

So you could walk in Love

I asked the Father to give you

His Blessings from above.

I asked Him to send you Help

I whatever lies ahead

He told me Jesus is there

To carry your burdens instead.

May this prayer I prayed for you

Be comforting you today

To let you know my friend

You are thought of in every way.

Jimmy Morgan