Scouting At Home

The Medal of Merit may be awarded to a youth member or adult leader who has performed a rare or exceptional act of service that reflects an uncommon degree of concern for the well-being of others. At the National Capital Area Council Court of Honor held on June 2, 2024, Thomas (TJ) D. was awarded the Medal of Merit as the youth member.

For several days Thomas (TJ) had been going to his grandmother’s house to help her when she had been not feeling well. On the fourth day, TJ went over a bit later than normal and found her on the ground. TJ asked her how long she had been on the floor, and she told him that she had fallen around 7 or 8 a.m. It was after 5 p.m. TJ called parents to help. As his mother called 911, TJ and his father got his grandmother in a sitting position, but she continued to get worse. An ambulance took her to the hospital, where it was found she was extremely septic and had little kidney function due to a kidney stone blockage. A week to the day after her fall, she was home, but if TJ hadn’t helped her, she probably would not have survived.

The National Certificate of Merit may be awarded to a youth member or adult leader who has performed a significant act of service that is deserving of special national recognition.

Congratulations to Amy E. on earning the Certificate of Merit for saving a sleeping homeowner from a house fire!

Amy was walking her dog in May of 2023 when she heard a smoke detector going off.  She saw a steady stream of smoke coming out of two windows on the top level of a nearby house. While there was no car in the driveway and no lights in the house, when there was no sign of activity, she ran home to get help from an adult.  Amy’s mother called 911 and waited with Amy across the street from the house. She told the firefighters what she saw.  The firefighters entered the house and found the homeowner there.  He was asleep. There was a fire on the stovetop. The homeowner was taken to the hospital and treated for smoke inhalation.

The Heroism Award may be awarded to a youth member or adult leader who has demonstrated heroism and skill in saving or attempting to save a life at more than minimal personal risk to self.

At the National Capital Area Council  Court of Honor held on Sunday, June 2, 2024, Xavier P. received a Heroism Award for taking quick action to protect his grandmother and her pets during a home fire.

On July 16, 2022, while spending the night at his grandmother’s house, the attic of the house caught fire at 4:35 a.m. while everyone was asleep.  Xavier was extremely brave and calm.  He not only woke up his grandmother, but he also helped rescue her pets and made sure everyone evacuated safely.  After Xavier and his grandmother got out of the house, they waited in the front with the other residents who all had evacuated safely.  Once the fire department arrived, Xavier’s grandmother drove him to his mother’s house, where they spent the rest of the night.  His mother later noted that Xavier was very kind and helpful while his grandmother recovered and secured new housing.

Thank you, Xavier for your quick action during an emergency and for exemplifying the Scout Law afterwards!

 

Last week, at People Who Move America, NCAC’s annual event honoring outstanding leaders in the trade and transportation industry who exemplify the ideals of the Scout Oath and Law, Trevor Austin spoke about his Scouting experience.  We are pleased to share what he said!

“Hello, Everyone! I can’t believe that I’m standing here tonight. Last year at this time, I was still in Cub Scouts, and I didn’t even know if I wanted to continue on to Boy Scouts. Now, look at me!

My name is Trevor Austin and I’m Tenderfoot rank (almost Second Class) in Troop 1657 at First Baptist Church of Glenarden, Patuxent District in the National Capital Area Council. I’m also the Assistant Patrol Leader of my Patrol. We are the Arrows of Fire and WE BRING THE HEAT!

I’ve only been in Scouting for 3 years. I joined Cub Scouts, Pack 1657, as a Bear when I was 8 years old. I only had a vague idea of what Scouting was about at that time, I just wanted to go camping. Now, I’m 11 years old and I crossed over to Boy Scouts in April of this year. Standing here tonight, I can say that in 3 years I’ve learned so much.

On May 21st, I found my grandmother unconscious on the bathroom floor. I made sure she was breathing. I checked her pulse. I checked if she was bleeding. All the while, I kept talking to her, but she didn’t respond. I wanted to freak out, but I knew that I had to get help fast. I didn’t have my phone, but my mom was in the kitchen cooking breakfast at the time. I ran to her. She dropped everything and we called 911.

Afterwards, when I was telling my family and friends about what happened, people kept asking me how I knew what to do and how I stayed so calm. It all happened so fast. I didn’t stop to think about what to do. I just did it. I realized that it was because of my Scout training.

Cub Scouts was mostly fun. We explored, sang silly songs, and we played a lot. We also learned the 3Cs:
1. CHECK the scene
2. CALL for help
3. CARE for the victim, if you can
And there is a 4th C – CALM. You have to stay calm and think.

We drilled it. We rehearsed it. We role played various scenarios. I heard it and said it so many times. I didn’t realize how much I was learning during those games. Even in my first few weeks as a Boy Scout, we reviewed our emergency responses and learned how to administer First Aid, like for a sprained ankle, snake bite, or heat stroke.

When I found my grandmother that morning, all that training kicked in and I was able to do a pretty amazing thing because my grandmother had a stroke. They took her by helicopter to Baltimore for emergency brain surgery to remove a blood clot. The doctors said my quick thinking and actions got her the help she needed in time. And my grandmother is sitting here tonight!

I realize that I’m just at the beginning of my Scouting journey. My goal is to become an Eagle Scout (so you might see me again!). So far, Scouting has been an awesome experience for me. I’ve been camping, fishing, hiking. I learned how to erect a tent, build a fire, and cook on that fire. I learned how to survive in nature with just the resources I have. I’ve learned how to take care of my environment – plants, animals, and people. And I’m still learning skills that I can use in the real world, like saving someone’s life.

Also, Scouting is a brotherhood. I have made friends that I will probably keep for the rest of my life. But more importantly, wherever I go in the world, I’ll be recognized as a Scout because a Scout is:
• Trustworthy
• Loyal
• Helpful
• Friendly
• Courteous
• Kind
• Obedient
• Cheerful
• Thrifty
• Brave
• Clean
• Reverent

Thank you for allowing me to share my story here tonight. I’m sure that you will be hearing from me again!”

His act of heroism was also reported by UM Capital Region Health. Watch the story here: