Lumberton Eagle Scout, Ronald Timothy King, age 14, has been chosen to deliver the 2016 Report to the Nation before Congress. Ron is the son of Timothy Lamar King and Betty Owens King. His grandparents are Leslie and June King of Lake View and Ronald and the late Bonnie Owens of Lumberton.
Ron King is currently and eighth grader attending Lumberton Junior High School. He is a member of Boy Scout Troop 301 sponsored by First Presbyterian Church in Lumberton, N.C., which is in the Lumber River District and the Cape Fear Council.
King began Scouting as a Cub Scout at the age of six and has remained active since that time. He achieved the highest rank in Cub Scouts, the Arrow of Light, at which time he crossed over to Boy Scouts. Ron achieved the highest rank of Boy Scouts (Eagle Scout) on January 26, 2017, at the age of 13. He has currently completed 42 merit badges, BSA Scuba, The Messenger in Peace Award, The World Conservation Award, and the God and Church Award. He is also an Order of the Arrow (OA) member most commonly known as the National Honor Society of the Boy Scouts of America, NYLT trained and certified, as well as OA LINK trained. Ron has also held leadership positions in his troop such as Chaplain Aide and currently Senior Patrol Leader.
Eagle Scout Ron King was one of 11 Scouts selected across the United States to be a member of the Boy Scouts of America’s delegation for the 2016 Report to the Nation scheduled for March 2017.
Ron was nominated for the high honor of representing the Boy Scouts of America in the Report to the Nation, first because he is a young man of character and integrity that exemplifies the nobility of the Boy Scout organization. He was also nominated because Ron’s community needed a beacon of light as they work to overcome their inconceivable challenges. During the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew last fall, Ron King sent a text message to one of his assistant Scoutmasters David Branch asking how he and his fellow troop members could help victims of the hurricane. The text message said, “Mr. Branch, I have no power, no television, do you know of a way the troop and I can help shine for the glory of God?” Mr. Branch told Ron to meet him at the Bill Sapp Recreation Center in Lumberton which was being used as a Red Cross shelter. Ron assembled the troops and about two dozen fellow Scouts showed up ready to help in any way they could the next day. They served over 2,000 meals daily, carried water, unloaded critical relief supplies, sorted clothes and needed items, assembled cots and tended to the needs of those displaced to the very best of their abilities. He also served the people in his neighborhood. He and his brother helped clear streets and yards of debris, delivered food, water and supplies to the homes of the elderly who were not physically able to get out and retrieve it themselves. Ron King was steadfast in his commitment to serve others and was an example to his peers.
During his time in Washington, he will be asked to present the Boy Scouts of America’s annual report to numerous dignitaries. He will be presenting a gift, a campership, and the official report.
Some of the highlights include: Goddard Space Flight Center, United States Naval Academy in Annapolis for church services and a tour of the campus, visits to the national monuments, breakfast at the U.S. Capitol, a tour, visits with congressional and cabinet leadership, Supreme Court visit, wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery, a tour and visits with key leadership at the Pentagon and the Capital, and the White House.
This will be an adventure of a lifetime, one he will never forget.