Dear Editor: The Boy Scouts of America filed for bankruptcy protection due to sexual abuse lawsuits.

This is a sad day for the Boy Scouts and those who have been abused over the decades by some very bad people whose job was to protect these boys. I feel the Boy Scouts have done a lot of good over the years and it would be sad to see the destruction of a great organization because of a few bad people who have committed egregious acts against these young boys who trusted them.

The Boy Scouts have a long history of teaching young boys to be proper men and to be charity, community and patriotic minded. I was a Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Explorer Scout about 50 years ago. I learned a lot and how to deal with difficult situations with courage, dedication and loyalty to others.

They also taught me the importance of respecting those in authority and to be dedicated in helping others in need. This has gone a long way in my life as I served in the U.S. Navy and I am now Grand Knight of St. Anastasia Knights of Columbus in Douglaston, and run two blood drives a year with the help of Boy Scout troop #153. These boys and their leaders are truly dedicated in doing the right thing by helping to save lives.

May the Boy Scouts survive, so more boys can be helped to be all that they can be.

Frederick R. Bedell Jr.   

Glen Oaks Village