If you meet a Scout or Scouter from Troop I58 and you notice they are wearing a dangle like this, it may not stand out as anything special because dangles on Scout uniforms are fairly common. But this dangle IS special, every part of it has a special meaning for the wearer. Troop 158 Advancement Chair, Amy Mitschke, explains it like this:
The dangles are the army green that matches the feather in his hat, the knot is a cobra knot. Lord Baden-Powel had the Gone Home trail marker symbol put on his headstone and we thought this very fitting to use for Mr. Hynes as well. Heather Spencer was wonderful and burned the Gone Home symbol and his initials onto wooden tags that we added to our dangles.
A paracord dangle, or bracelet, created using the cobra knot is especially meaningful in Scouting because it epitomizes the Scout Motto. The Cobra knot uses about 1 foot of paracord for just 1 inch of dangle or bracelet making it a great way to carry an essential outdoor and survival tool (rope) in a minimal space, thus helping the holder to “Be Prepared”. Jeffrey Hynes lived and breathed Scouting, so this was also a fitting tribute.
Once again, from Amy Mitschke:
Our hope for the meeting was to remember all of the good memories we had of Mr. Hynes. We discussed things that we will see that will forever make us think of him- his hat; an old flag; zinc sunscreen; hummus and pita chips, tostadas. Then we discussed what he taught us and the subject of knots was the most common response. And that is because Mr. Hynes knew so, so, so many knots, he easily knew several hundred by heart. He was quite happy with a rope in hand and manipulating it into as many knots as he could manage while teaching everyone their names and the purposes were. Lastly we talked about what Mr. Hynes would want us to do. We agreed that he’d understand us being sad, but to not stay sad. He’d want us to continue with scouts, to share the scout spirit but mostly to have fun!
We wanted to do something that would remind everyone that even though Mr. Hynes wasn’t in our meetings he was still with us and to not forget all that he taught us. Anyone who wished could make a dangle. This was a wonderful opportunity for us to create something to remember him by but also a time for us to talk, reconnect with each other and to share Mr. Hynes stories. We closed our meeting with a moment of silence for Mr. Hynes family, and Mr. Brian Thompson, Mr Hynes best friend, led us in a closing prayer. Mr. Hynes will never be forgotten, because it’s true. I don’t think anyone at Troop 158 could ever forget him and his contagious smile.
