Officer Glenn Rowe Austraw

Rowe Austraw was one of my Boy Scout leaders at the time he died in 1997. I was about 15 years old at the time. I had only joined his troop about a year earlier, but he had a positive influence on my life.

My most interesting impression off Rowe, actually came during his funeral. As the pallbearers passed with the casket between the church building and the hearse, I stood in a line along the path with my Boy Scout troop. We followed the commands of the police honor guard and saluted Rowe's body as it traveled that path to from the building to the car.

As I stood there at attention and saluted I felt the presence of the spirit of Rowe Austraw standing on my left side. I felt his arm extend across my left shoulder and behind my neck and I felt him place his hand on my right shoulder. With his arm around me in a friendly gesture I felt as if he was honored and grateful for the service I was rendering him. I felt that he was pleased and wanted me to know that.

Jon H.
Boy Scouts of America

March 23, 2021