As a boy growing up in rural Wisconsin, I used to ride my bike every Monday to the VFW hall, raise my hand and recite the Scout Oath.

“On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country … and to help other people at all times…”

Scouting instilled in me the value of doing one good deed daily. It didn’t have to be a big deed. Just something that would help someone in need. Like the old cliché about Scouts helping a granny cross the road.

Alex Pretti was a Scout in his hometown of Green Bay, Wisconsin.

He was killed by federal agents while fulfilling his Scout Oath. Killed by thugs working for the country he had pledged his allegiance to.

He lived his life as a compassionate and caring Scout and dedicated his life to helping others as a nurse in the intensive care unit of the Minneapolis VA hospital.

When he saw two women in need of assistance on that fatal Saturday morning he didn’t hesitate to do his daily good deed. Not with expectation of reward but simply because of kind-heartedness and a sense of duty.

Alex Pretti’s final good deed has made an impact. I had long forgotten the Scout Oath, but watching him step forward reminded me that communities don’t survive on slogans or uniforms – they survive because people look out for one another. Alex lived the values we claim to admire. He was helpful. He was brave. He did his duty to others.

The US government shouldn’t be gunning down people like Alex or Renee and blaming conscious-minded neighbours for their own demise. Our communities need more people like him, not fewer.

More Alex Prettis.