Josh Wheeler was *primed an pumped for his GMA award ceremony held yesterday June 4th Y2k in a little fishing village on the Columbia River.... It would be a TRIPLE GMA! He arrived early to find friends and leaders dressed in their best Ranger "duds" and members of Sectional,Dist. Region and *National Staff! The sun was out and it was springtime with a warm wind sweeping off the lower Columbia bringing the slight smell of the fresh Ocean to the lungs... Pastor was a Ranger.. and had prepared several beautiful banners noting the long long trail to the GMA! Small straight arrows walked down the aisle followed by red shirted Buckaroos and Khaki Pioneers/Trailblazers all with a banner.. and they walked to the platform to post them... the flags of the US and of RRangers were posted as well and we *plegded to them... The head of the County Sheriffs department opened in prayer! 8 tall blue candles were lit with the RANGER CODE slowly spoken... 3 "Commander Dads" entered with large banners for the GMA and posted them, as to the song: *I pledge allegiance to the Lamb...." was playing- 3 GMA Ranger receivers escorted "Mom" to their seats and stood before the people! Michael Sager Jacob Thelander Joshua Wheeler *Opening remarks were made and the Dad's were seated and the GMA boys sat in three chairs on the platform<G> *HOT SEAT!<g> *A gift of a GMA wristwatch was awarded by Sectional Cdr. with remarks and then it was handed over to Regional Dupty.Dist. Cdr. who awarded a notebook of letters from various persons of influence in sports and politics and leadership! *Wow! He had the boys come forward and read them a GMA Charge... ...and handed the GMA medal to the "Dad" to pin on the chest of their son! (*WAUGH! ...plumb tickerlated!) NW Dist. awards a "medallion" with a ribbon around the neck like "Olympic Gold" that has the name and date of the Ranger... and allows this to be worn to any and all functions<G> *These were handed to "Mom" who hung them on their *son... (Hugs.. kisses.. mushy stuff<G>) The GMA Rangers then were praised by standing acclaim! National Challenger/BSA Commander Brian Hendreckson then had the boys return to seats and began to share his heart about Royal Rangers and the ABC's of believing... *Good Words! The Pastor returned to give a final prayer and we were invited down to the hall to share treats! Cake-Coffee-Punch and mints<G> *Something 'special happened yesterday<G> The weight lifted- the shackles broke and the hearts burned with that *special fire of the fellowship of Rangers.. We saw it was not just about the Men and the GMA boys but family-friends-Co-workers and the rest of the Outpost-Church and Community that joined the party! *From my perspective... I saw a slight tremble in the hands of my son<G> I saw him stand like a proud Royal Ranger and beam sunshine out his eyes! Mike Sager- Jacob Thelander- Josh Wheeler- #3911 -=A=- -- ��ࡱ�
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