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.
