All,
I remember, as Duane does, the early days of Rangernet. While I never
participated in the "alt.org." version I got on pretty early after receiving
a post from Jerry Flory (jflory to us list members). He told me about the
list and I subscribed.
Got a welcome post from John Martinez out in California and suddenly I was
hooked up with friends around the world.
Next , I got a "mighty fine and a great big howdy" from some wild man named
Duane. He were talkin' in some lingo he called "palaver" and I thought,
"this guy's wacked out. He must be a refugee from the '60s like me."
Sure 'nuff.
Like Duane says, we've always been a bit on the controversial side.
Advantages (drawbacks?) of the instant connection world that we now live in.
We can speak our minds and all over the world the ripple effects go out.
And, since Ranger leaders are by nature passionate people, we can REALLY
speak our minds!!
Yes, it is a cybercampfire. Around a campfire we are face to face. I don't
believe any of us would purposely offend/injure/humiliate any other in that
venue. Unfortunately, e-mail with all its wonders of communication can not
put shades of meaning in words that the human voice can.
So, we need to be very prayerfully selective in how we respond.
I've had the joy and honor of meeting some of you face to face. Duane was
about like I expected, a big griz/teddy bear. Victor Zalakos, every bit as
"cut to the chase" blunt as he is on the 'net but I saw a love for kids in
his eyes and heard it in his voice when he talked to my sons at the '98
Camporama.
Victor, RangerDJ ,Spirit Rider, White Buffalo, Buzzteeth, Duane and Jen
(Duane's wife) these are people who have made inscriptions in my walk with
the Lord. All of you have added spices to the "tossed salad" that is my
life.
I've met others at training camps. What a blessing it is to walk into the
midst of strangers and be able to put faces to names.
James Styles ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) and his wife even came and visited our
church this summer while on vacation in Williamsburg. We had lunch and great
fellowship.
Beloved, this is a place to be open, vulnerable, honest, but ALWAYS loving.
Otherwise it profits nothing. Let us guard it (and our hearts) carefully.
Now that I've got all the "mushy stuff" out of the way (just kidding!!) let
me encourage you again to answer the requests from commanders who want us to
congratulate their boys who earn the GMA. I have been in ceremonies where
these letters were read and you can believe this: a boy enjoys getting
letters from the President, the Governor, the Senator, the Mayor, the
Principal, the National Commander, etc. But they're all form letters. Not to
take away from their importance, but there's something about receiving a
personal note from someone who's "been there, done that" or who's helped
another young man "go there and do that" that's just...........different.
I've seen boys hold on to those letters like they were gold.
Mark Zaszcurynski, Rick Barnhouse, and I all have ceremonies coming up.
Mark has two boys (not sure of the date, Mark, hope I didn't miss it),
Rick's son Kevin has his on 10/7, and we will be awarding 6 GMAs (Jeremy
Schmidt, Jason Kurz, Jeremy Monkres, Andrew Lynn, Benjamin Heitman, and
Nathan Rothwell) this Sunday night.
Please, take the time to just right a note of encouragement (in the case of
multiples like ours, I'm sure the boys will treasure a letter to all just as
much).
This has gone on long enough. I hope I haven't caused any of you folks who
read these posts at work any undue problems with your boss.
God bless! Press in and press on!!
--
Gary Burn'n Heart
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