GMA essay #3 from Jeremy Schmidt:
The Value of Royal Rangers to Me
By Jeremy Schmidt
I was involved in Royal Rangers before I was old enough to even be in the
program. When I was four years old my dad started taking me camping. He and
my brother Ryan taught me a lot about the outdoors and camping skills. My
dad was a Trailblazer commander at the time and he was always encouraging me
to excel in the program like Ryan, who had already earned his Gold Medal.
Royal Rangers has affected my life in more ways than I can express. I�ve
learned responsibility as a ranger, a brother, a son, and as a friend to
other Rangers. As I have grown into a young man and experienced the many
changes that come with that, Royal Rangers has taught me to deal with those
changes. Two of the eight points of the Ranger Code have helped me to resist
the negative influences the world throws in the path of a young man like me
Alert: Mentally, Physically, and
Spiritually Alert
As a teen in public schools I have always been aware that many of my peers
were smoking and doing drugs and other harmful things to their bodies. The
spiritual skills I�ve learned in Rangers have helped me to "just say No."
One day in middle school I was using the restroom when a guy I knew came up
to me and asked me if I wanted to get high. He reached into his pocket and
pulled out a bag of marijuana. I did what Joseph did when Potiphar�s wife
attacked him (Genesis 39:12). I ran.
The physical alertness that comes from my Ranger First Aid training helped
me in another incident. I was at my friend Troy�s uncle�s house helping them
cut tree limbs. Suddenly, the limb we were working on fell against the
ladder that Troy was using. He lost his balance and fell, breaking his arm.
Thanks to my Ranger training I didn�t panic but ran and called 911. I gave
the dispatcher directions quickly and clearly
Courteous: Polite, Kind, and Thoughtful
Courtesy is something that has been impressed upon me at home and reinforced
at Royal Rangers. My parents have been particularly insistent that I treat
elderly people with the utmost respect. Once, while out with my friend
David, we stopped at the retirement home where his mother works. We were
waiting in the lobby when an elderly man by the name of Mr. Godfrey walked
in. Mr. Godfrey is totally blind but loves to play the piano. I watched for
a few minutes as he tried to play. He was struggling to find the proper
keys. I walked over and introduced myself. We talked for a while. I
explained that I knew how to play and he asked if I would play for him. I
played Amazing Grace. What I didn�t realize was that is his favorite hymn.
He wanted to learn how to play it so I sat down with him and guided him
through. By the time we were finished he knew the placement of every key and
could play it by himself. Through the gift of courtesy God used me to bless
that man. I�m thankful that living by the Ranger Code helped me develop that
gift.
In closing, one of the greatest joys that I will take from my years in
Rangers is the friendships that I have developed over the years. When I came
to this Outpost five years ago I was just a stranger from Louisiana but the
rangers and the leaders took me in as one of their own. They taught me that
I could have fun doing the right thing. Royal Rangers has challenged me to
set the bar high and if I fall short I get up and try again.
_______
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