Dear Royal Rangers Family:

It is with great sadness that we wish to inform you that on Sunday evening, June 22nd at around 9:30 pm, New York District Commander John P. Overton went to be with the Lord. Commander John had suffered a heart attack while at his home in Amherst, NY. He will be deeply missed.

John was one of the longest-standing district commanders in our nation, having served for the past 21 years (1987-2008). He was the recipient of the Royal Rangers district commander’s “Silver Eagle Award” 18 times. Prior to becoming district commander, John served as district training coordinator and served in Royal Rangers at his home church, Evangel A/G (Outpost 66) in Buffalo.

John served his country in both the U.S. Air Force and Army Reserves. He was chosen as NY District Honor Bound “Man of the Year” in 2005. John had a great love for God, his family and his country. His combined love for the outdoors and for the souls of boys compelled him serve in the Royal Rangers ministry for all these years. John’s vision was to see boys won for Christ and to have a camp facility in New York State were boys from across the district can come and enjoy God’s creation while learning more about our Savior, Jesus. This vision began with the Royal Rangers Camp in Greene, NY, in 2000.

We ask that you please lift Mrs. Ellie Overton, their daughter, two sons and the entire Overton family in prayer for peace and comfort at this difficult time.

We thank the Lord for giving us a leader that not only served with excellence but who also took great pride and joy in his ministry and in the lives of those that were, and continue to be blessed by the Royal Rangers. We are take comfort in knowing that Commander John will hear the words from our Lord, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Wake will be at the:
Lester H. Wedekindt Inc
Funeral Home
3290 Delaware Ave.
Kenmore, NY 14217
716-877-7979

Viewing will be on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 at:
2 to 4 PM and 7 to 9 PM

The funeral Thursday, June 26, 2008
11 AM will be at the church:

Evangel Assembly of God
1800 Maple Rd.
Williamsville, NY 14221
716-688-4941

Interment will be at the Acacia Park and Resthaven Cemetery
4215 No. Tonawanda Creek Rd.,
North Tonawanda, NY 14120

There will be a lunch following interment at:
Evangel Assembly of God
1800 Maple Rd.
Williamsville, NY 14221
716-688-4941

At the request of John's wife Ellie, in lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the New York District Assemblies of God Office, 8130 Oswego Rd, Liverpool, NY 13088-0039, designated for the New York District Royal Rangers.

NY District Royal Rangers
June 23, 2008

Royal Rangers & Friends,

We extend our sympathy to the Larson family on the passing of Commander Floyd Larson.  He went home to be with our Lord this past Sunday morning.  Commander Larson was one of the early pioneers of Royal Rangers – serving office on the first National Council in 1969.  He served as the Men’s Director in the Southern New England District and he went onto serve as the first Northeast Regional Coordinator.  He also served on many National Training Camp staffs and had a tremendous impact on the lives of multiple men and boys through Rangers.  Floyd blessed many lives with his dedication to God and Royal Rangers and he will be greatly missed.

The viewing will be on Tuesday from 5PM to 8pm at the Miles Funeral Home at 1158 Main Street in Holden, MA 01520. The funeral will be on Wednesday at 11 AM at the Holden Chapel, Holden MA.  The funeral home may be reached at 508-829-4434 regarding flowers or other questions.

A memorial fund has been started and those wishing to contribute may do so by sending their check to the “Floyd Larson Memorial”, Grace Bible Church, Sterling, MA.

The home address for his wife, Eunice is 22 South Rd., Holden, MA  01520.

Sincerely,

Dwight Walters

Northeast Regional Coordinator

On-line registration is experiencing technical difficulties.  Please mail you registration form, with your deposit, as soon as possible.  Classes are filling up fast.

Notice:

More classes are filling up!

**The Senior Commanders Module is full and the FCF Outfits module is full**

**Extreme Backpacking Friday and Saturday are full

**Ranger Kids Skills is full, and the First Aid & CPR are both full

Imagine a world where everything always stays the same, because that’s the only place where a world like that exists (Bob Briner). A new day often calls for a new strategy, a new shape, a whole new approach. Royal Rangers has changed tremendously over the past several years and recently we even had a change in national leadership. The Regional Conference has been held for 17 consecutive years at Potomac Park Camp in Falling Waters, WV. We have had some great conferences and God has blessed – but “Change is in the air”!

This year’s conference will be held at the Lehigh Valley Conference Center in Bethlehem, PA (near Allentown) on January 25-26, 2008. We are excited to offer the conference at a location that is more central to our region with improved facilities and accommodations. We are also honored to have our new National Commander, Doug Marsh as our guest speaker.

Change is exciting and sometimes takes a leap of faith. We trust that you will make plans to be with us as we take this leap for the Glory of God! You will receive valuable training, experience fellowship with others and grow closer to the Lord. We’re looking forward to seeing you in 2008.

Attached are the 2 brochures for the conference (one color, one black and white) and the application.

Northeast Region Royal Rangers Council,

Greetings Commanders.

A reminder to book your room(s) soon for the NE Regional Business meeting on Nov. 10.

We can only guarantee the $79 (+tax) discount price through Oct. 5.  After that, you may be on your own as far as getting a good rate.

Go to http://www.thezenithgrp.com/reservations.shtml?event_id=110 to book your room(s).

 
Thanks for you attention to this matter and hope to see you all there!

Dwight Walters

NE Regional Coordinator

2007 Commanders Conference Recap...

Thanks to everyone who attended the Regional Commanders Conference at the Potomac Park Conference Center in Falling Waters, WV.

Congratulations to the Pennsylvania-Delaware District for wining the District Excellence Award and the John Fenwick Chapter for wining the Eagle Award.

(click here for photos)

Check out the Northeast Region Commanders Conference History Page.  You will find out the theme, guest speaker, and attendance of past conferences.  There is also a collection of past conference patches, some for sale.

We are happy to announce some additions and adjustments to the NE Regional Staff as follows:

Allen Baun of Orchard Park, NY has been appointed Northeast Regional Programs Coordinator. Part of his portfolio will be coordinating the Regional Ranger of the Year testing.

Allen will fill a position left vacant by the resignation of Carlos Cobos of the Spanish Eastern District.

Carlos and his family will be moving to Florida because of a job transfer. He has done an excellent job serving on staff and specifically did a great job hosting and coordinating the 2005-2006 Regional Ranger of the Year testing in Vineland, NJ – held just a few months ago.  We thank Carlos for his service to the Region and pray for blessings on his future endeavors.

Roland Zeller has resigned his position as Regional Royal Rangers Alumni (RRA) Coordinator due to obligations to his church and issues relating to his wife’s health. Please pray for the Zellers and we appreciate the years of dedication and commitment from Commander Zeller as he has served diligently in this capacity.

We Need Your Help

The Region is creating a database that will keep track of all National Training Camps that have been attended by the leaders in the Northeast Region.  This will help us to plan for future training opportunities in the region.

As Regional Training Coordinator, Scott Hurt is in the process of creating a database that will keep track of all National Training Camps that have been attended by the leaders in the Northeast Region.  This will help him and the District Training Coordinators plan for future training opportunities in the region.

(click here to submit a form)

Longtime New York Deputy District Commander Dan Gingerich (known a “Ranger Dan”) went home to be his Lord on Easter Sunday morning, April 8, 2006. He truly had a servant’s heart and made a tremendous impact on many boys’ and leaders’ lives by his dedication to the Lord through Royal Rangers.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations for the development of the District Royal Rangers campground in Greene. More details will be available soon.