HE
WILL ALWAYS BE PART OF OUR LIVES
When
Aric was taken from us so suddenly on June
16, 2000 by a drunk driver, the lives of his
of his family and friends were altered forever.
One senseless act of carelessness and disregard
for this young man's precious life has
left a void that can never be filled. Yet
reflecting over the outpouring of love from
family, close friends and extended families
of scouting and swimming had filled our hearts
with tears, joy, laughter love and the ability
to share fond memories of how Aric touch us
all in his brief and yet accomplished life
here on earth.
Aric
earned his first Merit Badge from Scouts in
December 1992. By the time he earned the rank
of Eagle Scout at age 12 in August 1995, he
had earned over 100 Merit Badges. As Bob Dahlberg.
Former Scoutmaster of troop 392 stated, "To
say that Aric was a good scout would be an
understatement. Aric's scouting achievements
alone attest to the fact that he was a good
scout. But Aric was more than a good scout;
he embodied the scouting spirit. Aric took
the creed of scouting to heart -for service
to others, was his trademark. He took great
joy in the building of the Cheyenne campsite
a Camp Napowan; in being Chapter Chief of
Pathfinder District Order of the Arrow Chapter;
as a Senior Patrol Leader of Troop 392 and
in helping his brother scouts. He was a Boy
Scout's Boy Scout. A scout that Lord
Baden-Powell himself could be proud. Of all
the scouts that I personally feel blessed
to have had the honor of knowing and being
a scout leader to a young man such as Aric
Wooley."
Aric
was a member of the Lakota Lodge Executive
board. He has organized the Fall Fellowship
in 1999, which was attended by a few hundred
scouters and adult scout leaders. He recruited
adult leaders and scouts to participate in
the Order of the Arrow Haunted Hike in 1999.
He was awarded the Certificate of Merit in
March 2000 for coming to the aid of an adult
leader who was having a heart attack while
on a campout. In December 1999, Aric and his
father, Jerry, received the Vigil Honor of
Order of the Arrow, the highest honor a scouter
or scout leader can obtain in the Order of
the Arrow. When receiving this honor, an Indian
name was given to Aric, which was Aschowin
Taat Names, Interpreted as To Swim Like Fish.
And
swim like fish is what he did from a very
young age-on the local Park District team
up to the time of his death. He swam four
years at Conant High School on the Varsity
team with many of his childhood friends and
competed against other childhood friends from
other schools. In his senior year, the Cougars
had an undefeated season and placed first
in the conference as well. Aric was the Co-Captain
for two years and along with Andy Sheely,
was Co-MVP. There were many proud moments
When Aric would better his time or he would
place, winning either a medal or ribbon throughout
his swimming career. He swam in Conference,
Sectionals, State Finals and Junior Nationals,
not only exemplifying his God-given ability
for swimming, but also his talent of making
friends wherever he went. He was well respected
by both team members and coaches. Coach Dahl
was his swim coach at Conant, his friend,
his cheering section and his mentor. His childhood
friends, Andy, Carl Kevin and Matt, remained
close to Aric all those years and were devastated
by the loss of their dear friend. These young
men remain close to us and are welcome in
our home anytime. They are all very special
and we all share a special bond...ARIC!
There
have been many tributes to Aric since he left
this world. The Palatine Park District, on
July 7, 2000, during the Tiger Shark Summer
Splash, ran an empty lane in final heat of
the 50 Free and 100 Back, in his honor. They
also donated money to Boy Scouts and dedicated
a bronze plaque to be hung at the Park District,
in his honor. During the season, the team
wore swim caps with his initials in his memory.
Various teams in the Conant's Conference,
paid tribute to Aric when they swam against
Conant the first time in the season. Boy Scout
Troop 392, that Aric belonging to, had a memorial
at their Court of Honor sharing all their
fond memories and Aric's accomplishments
in scouting. Donations were made in Aric's
name, to be used to send less-fortunate young
men to Boy Scout Camp during the years to
come. The Illinois Confederation of Clubs
has set up the Annual Aric Wooley Memorial
Food and Toy Drive to benefit the less fortunate
in Chicago. Southern Illinois University,
where Aric was to attend school on a full
swimming scholarship, dedicated their swim
season to Aric by wearing his initials on
their team shirts. And his swim family at
Conant High School raised enough money to
purchase a new multi-lane timing board and
will be dedicating it in Arics memory.
There
have been a lot of ups and downs during the
past year since Aric was taken from us. It
is something we will never get over. There
will always be a hole in our hearts and our
lives. I once stated how I felt cheated because
I only had Aric in my life for a short time.
A friend reminded me that I should feel blessed
for having that time. We would like to take
time to thank our family and Friends for their
support and love during the year. Aric will
live on in our hearts and in our memories
forever.
We
little knew that morning: God was going to
call your name.
In life we loved you dearly, in death we do
the same.
It
broke our hearts to lose you; you did not
go alone.
For part of us went with you, the day God
called you home.
You
left us beautiful memories; your love is still
our guide.
And though we cannot see you, you are always
by our side.
Our
family chain is broke and nothing seems the
same.
But as God calls us one by one, the chain
will link again.
We
Love You, Aric....
Dad, Charlie. And Nick
The Wooley Family
