NYC Scout Jeremy Speech about Retired Scout Executive Charlie Rosser. Posted with permission from Jeremy and his parents. Jeremy delivered his comments to those gathered at the Celebration of Charlie Rosser, May 2014, New York City

1. Remembering The Life Of Charlie Rosser
Turning An Ordinary Kid Into An Extraordinary Adult
Jeremy Dueñas
May 5th, 2014
Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, my name is Jeremy Dueñas and I
am a Life Scout out of Troop 24 on Staten Island. We've all come together today
to remember a great man, a friend to all of us; his name is Charlie Rosser. One
of GNYC's missions is to turn ordinary kids into extraordinary adults; this is the
story of how Charlie did that for a kid who thought he was just one of thousands.
For 9 years Charlie served as the Scouting Executive and CEO for the
Greater New York Councils, Boy Scouts of America and he truly set the bar for
Mr. Draddy and for those who will come after. I began my adventure in Scouting
in 2005 back when I was a wee-little Tiger Cub and starting late that scouting
year and early into the next, I joined the Speak Out For Scouting program. My
time with Speak Out For Scouting started off with color guards and meeting
important people, one of which was Charlie Rosser. There is actually a picture of
myself, Charlie and Ms. Alair Townsend from way back when I was a Wolf Scout
at one of the many luncheons I've done over the years. Although I don't
remember the picture being taken, I remember that day in great detail. It was my
first time speaking in front of such a large crowd. I had the honor of reciting the
Cub Scout Oath & Law in front of what seemed like billions of people, and I did it
without a hitch. Lucky me, I did so well I was asked to come back again and
again, and every time I returned, my part got bigger and bigger. I ended up
becoming a regular Scout Speaker at the many luncheons and dinners over the
years. And over those many years, I ran into Charlie quite often and got to sit
with him at the head table with all the important people in Scouting.
Charlie would always say he admired my smile and would always
congratulate me after I spoke. He may not have known it then, but he was
making a huge impact on my life. He made me feel like I wasn't just one of the
thousands of scouts in GNYC, he gave me a reason to continue on in Scouting
and I thank him for that everyday.

2. Over the years, Alair, Charlie and I would see each other at these events
and say hello, but a couple years back, the three of us were having a
conversation and my dad thought to take a picture. This before and after spans
nearly 6 years and it is definitely one of my favorite moments in my time with the
scouts. Sadly, this was one of the last times I saw Charlie.
Scouting is the best thing that has happened to me. Without it, I wouldn't
be able to say I swam a whole mile in the pool at Aquehonga in one night, or that
I was a part of the inaugural jamboree at the Summit Bechtel Reserve. I wasn't
even planning on going to Jamboree and I was very surprised when my parents
told me I was; it was like telling a little kid he was going to Disney World. But part
of me thinks that Charlie knew I was going before my parents even knew.
One time I came up to the old Scout Shop on the 4th floor of The Empire
State Building and being the little twerp I was, I asked the receptionist if Mr.
Rosser was in that day. Sure enough he was and he came out to meet me and
we got all caught up, then he pulled something out of my pocket; it was this coin
<hold up coin> This was given to a select group of scouting officials directly from
the Summit Bechtel Reserve. This is the first coin to ever be produced for SBR,
and I'm lucky enough to have Charlie's. Charlie gave me something else that
day. He asked if we were going up to the observation deck. My parents said no
even though I continued to beg them. Charlie decided to give us an experience
even better than that; he took us on an exclusive tour of the new 78th floor office
for GNYC. At this time, the office was still under construction so we got a little
behind the scenes sneak peak at it all. We had a great view of the city and got
the inside scoop of what was changing for GNYC. During the time we spent up
there, we discussed our time in scouting and I even got the details of some under
the table business, but that's a story that will have to die with us.
Unfortunately, Charlie has passed but we all keep a part of him with us;
some more than other. If you ask any scout in GNYC, "Who is Charlie Rosser?",
you might get "He's a higher up, right?" or a simple "I don't know", but for me,
Charlie was an inspiration, a father, a mentor. Peggy, I'm going to ask a favor of
you. In a couple years, I will be completing my Eagle rank and I will be presenting
my mentor pins to people who have helped me through my years in scouting.
Charlie was, and will be a recipient of my most important and significant mentor
pin. Unfortunately I will not be able to present it directly to him, but I would like
you to accept in on his behalf, just a subtle hint that you're invited to my Eagle
Court of Awards. [Applause - Pause]

3. Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium is a movie about a magical toy store
that comes to life, until one day, Mr. Magorium finds that it is his time to go. I
know it's a movie for kids, but its movies like this that have to most significant
meanings behind the script. Mr. Magorium believes that we are all born with a
lifetime supply of shoes. Charlie had a lifetime supply of shoes as we all do.
Sometimes we gain a pair and sometimes we lose one; Charlie's pairs of shoes
ran out all too soon. [Pause] And although Charlie may be gone, tonight is a
night, not to sulk, but remember and honor such an amazingly bright light that no
longer shines. In a way, it's hard to imagine a world without such an important
person. I don't think I will ever fully adapt and I can't even imagine trying to
replace him. Charlie was irreplaceable, his mind body and spirit were all one of a
kind; his humor and pep talks are what I'm going to miss most. [Pause] There
was a movement put forward by GNYC a few years ago about how GNYC turns
ordinary kids into extraordinary adults. I'd sit in the seat's you're all sitting in now
and watch that video and get chills because of how powerful it was. After many
years, that video no longer plays, but it will always play in my mind and my heart.
If only he'd been here to see an ordinary kid he's helped turn into an
extraordinary adult.
Thank you Charlie. For everything.