And Then There Were Three- Nathan MacGilvary Earns GMA
By Jay M. Woodward
NNED Publications Coordinator
The afternoon of June 19, 2010, was a special one for Nathan MacGilvary of Outpost #11 in Auburn, NH, as he was honored for becoming the 40th boy in NNED Royal Rangers, and only the third in the annals of OP#11, to earn the coveted Gold Medal of Achievement! Nathan’s road to the GMA began at the age of five as a Straight Arrow. From there, he learned skills and had leadership opportunities that enabled him to grow Mentally, Physically, Socially, and Spiritually. He has also earned some very distinguished honors along the way. In 2005 he was given the National Medal of Courage for saving a little girl from drowning, and in both 2007 and 2008 he was a Regional Ranger of the Year and earned the Junior Leadership Medal! In addition, he is also a member of the Frontiersmen Camping Fellowship, earning the name “Steel Knuckles” at his Frontier Adventure. His service to God is not limited to Rangers, however, as he volunteers at The Place, an outreach ministry in Manchester reaching out to troubled youth. In a word, Rangers has made Nathan “READY”!
Remembering Commander Gaylon Long
On Tuesday, June 1, Commander Gaylon Long, a member of Outpost #36 in Tilton, New Hampshire, and a member of the NNED Security Color Guard, went home to be with the Master Ranger, Jesus Christ. Commander Gaylon was known for his wit and Southern drawl, and over the last several years played an important role in the Ranger ministry. His son, Jacob, is a Discovery Ranger at Outpost #36 and his wife Chris has served on the Church Board at Praise A/G in Tilton. Commander Gaylon attended Security Color Guard Camp in 2008, and during Pow Wow 2009, headed up Security team with Jacob working alongside him. A Vietnam veteran, Gaylon’s background made him the right man for the job! In addition, he was honored by OP #36 at Pow Wow 2009 by choosing the 2nd Infantry Division, of which Gaylon was a member, as its chosen regiment, along with the call, “Second Infantry Division, Second To None!” Gaylon could be seen at many Ranger events, and he also earned his Leaders’ Medal of Achievement.
In addition to leaving his family, his wife Chris and son Jacob, he leaves the Rangers family was well, and he will be greatly missed. Cards of condolence can be sent to:
175 Bean Hill Rd
Belmont, NH 03220
“A Call To Arms” Shooters’ Weekend 2010
By Jay M. Woodward , Pony Express Editor
June 4-6 marked the 2010 NNED Shooting Sport and Spirit Challenge Weekend, held at the Pemi Valley Fish and Game Club in Holderness, New Hampshire. This year’s event, saw fifteen boys and as many Commanders come out for a fun weekend of shooting various types of guns, camping, fellowship, and time to draw closer to Christ. It is also a time for real mentoring, as men get to spend quality time with boys by giving them hands-on instruction on how to safely use a firearm, and have fun in the process! Moreover, the smell of gunpowder has been proven to attract boys, especially the older ones in Adventure and Expedition Rangers, who were old enough and met the requirements to attend.
GMA - Steven (with a “V” for Victory) Kroh
By Jay M. Woodward Pony Express Editor
May 22, 2010 was a very special day for Outpost 11, as Steven Kroh was awarded the highest honor for a boy in Royal Rangers, the Gold Medal of Achievement. He is the 39th boy in Northern New England, and only the second in Outpost #11 history to have achieved this distinction.That alone puts Steven in some pretty elite company! Steven’s road to the GMA began in 1998 at the age of five as a Straight Arrow Brave. From there, he learned skills and leadership opportunities that enabled him to grow Mentally, Physically, Socially, and Spritually. In addition, Steven has also played trumpet for the Manchester Central High School band, and has built and programmed robots with his schools First Robotics Competition team called CHAOS! In a word, Rangers has made Steven “Ready!”
At Steven’s GMA ceremony, held at First Assembly in Auburn, NH, he was showered with words of praise from his Pastor, Garry Hamilton, Youth Pastor Matt Ellis (who was also a GMA recipient in 2001), and Commander Bruce Paquette, who was the Master of Ceremonies. Commander Mark Lacombe read several congratulatory letters from National Royal Rangers Director Doug Marsh, Governor John Lynch, Senators Judd Gregg and Jeanne Shaheen, and State Senator Dave Boutin. Even Sarah Palin sent Steven a letter to congratulate him on his achievement!
NNED NNEWS NNOTES
Pow Wow Work Day- The damp weather didn’t stop boys and leaders from coming out on May 1 to Camp Marist for Pow Wow Work Day. Several of NNED’s finest came out to prepare their campsites in advance for Pow Wow. The big project, however, was setting up the poles to the Gateway, which took lots of cement, water, machinery, and of course, Dunkin’ Donuts coffee to put each log pole into place on each side! The poles will support the Gateway banner, which will create a grand welcome to all who come to Camp Marist in August!
Rangers Make Dinner For Real Men- On May 21, at the NNED Men’s Retreat at Sunday River, Maine, Rangers came through again in creating a delectable feast at the Light for the Lost Banquet. District Director Jerry Love teamed up with Commanders Willy Gusha and Dale Montoya, bringing the Missions BBQ Trailer and became blue-ribbon chefs for the day, preparing steaks, chicken, and baked potatoes, enough food to feed the approximately 130 men who were in attendance at the Men’s Retreat. The chefs received complements from Men’s Ministry Director Ed Shearer and many of the men who gathered for the outdoor banquet! The theme of Men’s Retreat was “Real Men” and this was definitely a meal that lived up to the name!
Pinewood Derby Finds “New Life” in 2010
By Jay M. Woodward
Pony Express Editor
Satur-day-Satur-day! May-day! May-day! It was the 2010 NNED 600 Pinewood Derby! Boys, dads, and Commanders from all over the District came to the annual event, with their hand-crafted, sleekly painted, fine-tuned racing machines, to have fun and hopefully bring home some shiny trophies! This year, Pinewood Derby was held at the New Life Church in Biddeford, Maine, which has a large gymnasium and facilities that made it an excellent venue to hold the event. Pinewood Derby Coordinator Kendall Sperrey commented, “I thought the facility was the best we’ve had. The accommodations met all our needs.” The name of the church was also fitting, as this year’s Derby was also open to Mpact (Girls Ministries) girls. There were several girls who made cars and they were eager to show that they could keep up to speed with the boys and bring some “new life” to the competition! (check out the photos!)
Start Your Engines!
Indeed, there was much excitement the morning of May 1st, with boys and girls playing games in the gymnasium before the race while the final preparations were being made for the track, including the NASCAR Simulator, a popular item at Pinewood Derby that was back again this year! The races opened with the playing of the National Anthem, and the emcee of the races, District Director Jerry Love, getting the crowd “revved up” as only he can do! Commander Jerry gave an opening prayer, and reminded everyone that God is to be honored in all we do, win or lose. Then, it was time to…..START YOUR ENGINES!!!
