No big deal

**jgibson2**[$] · #1 07-11-2007, 02:50 AM

That's what my husband told me. Last month he and my youngest son, 2 other scout leaders and a couple of other scouts pulled a family out of the river and patched them up. A family of non/weak swimmers whose canoe had overturned.

Bob was apparently first to reach them in a canoe. Another leader followed closely behind in a kayak and the scouts and third leader helped from shore. They've all been approved for some kind of special scout award for their efforts. I read the write-up tonight. Apparently it was a significantly bigger deal than I'd been lead to believe. The folks from the district Scout office will be down sometime soon to present the awards -- and Bob has no idea it's coming. The story will be in 5 community papers (and I'd guess in the Baltimore Sun if they can swing that). I'll post a link when the story is printed.

**taurusmoon** · #2 07-11-2007, 07:35 AM

**mjfrombuffalo**[$] · #3 07-11-2007, 08:54 AM

Wow!!!

**hadassahchana**[$] · #4 07-11-2007, 09:02 AM

OMG, that is so cool! I can't wait for the link.

**thinkerlady**[$] · #5 07-11-2007, 10:01 AM

Wow Judy, that is a BIG deal. I'm anxious to read the link too!

*emeleel* · #6 07-11-2007, 10:03 AM

Yippee, how cool!

**mtomm**[$] · #7 07-11-2007, 10:09 AM

Impressive heroes!

**lynnzop**[$] · #8 07-11-2007, 12:02 PM

Quote:

mtomm said

Impressive heroes!

You took the words right out of my mouth!

**theworm**[$] · #9 07-11-2007, 08:43 PM

So a big deal!
They are heroes and I'm so glad that it's being recognized! You must be so proud!

**jgibson2**[$] · #10 07-11-2007, 10:53 PM

I was proud of them when I thought there was no risk involved. I'm even more proud that they're not making a big deal of it -- and glad that the scoutmaster is. He told me he had to fill out an 8 page application to get them this award. Even he doesn't know which scouting award they'll be receiving.

**theworm**[$] · #11 07-11-2007, 10:54 PM

nothing better than a humble hero!

frazzledspice · #12 07-12-2007, 11:39 AM

I hope their story will inspire others!

You deserve to be very proud!

wivabef · #13 07-12-2007, 02:11 PM

Quote:

jgibson2 said

That's what my husband told me. Last month he and my youngest son, 2 other scout leaders and a couple of other scouts pulled a family out of the river and patched them up. A family of non/weak swimmers whose canoe had overturned.

Bob was apparently first to reach them in a canoe. Another leader followed closely behind in a kayak and the scouts and third leader helped from shore. They've all been approved for some kind of special scout award for their efforts. I read the write-up tonight. Apparently it was a significantly bigger deal than I'd been lead to believe. The folks from the district Scout office will be down sometime soon to present the awards -- and Bob has no idea it's coming. The story will be in 5 community papers (and I'd guess in the Baltimore Sun if they can swing that). I'll post a link when the story is printed.

Don't forget the Gazette, Judy! Call Mary Schneidau at 410-766-3700 today. She covers the 'dena as a reporter!

(unless you're already in touch!)

We LOVE that stuff!

**jgibson2**[$] · #14 07-12-2007, 03:39 PM

I'm not, but I was told that 4 Rivers District was going to be placing this in 5 local papers. I can't imagine that they'd forget the Gazette. They think it's a big deal. I'm going to have my middle son there with a camera (he's a better photographer than I am) just in case. One time Bob can't take the pictures.

erik_kosberg · #15 07-12-2007, 03:48 PM

Way cool.

It's been a long time since I was a Boy Scout, but it sounds like they might be up for a Heroism Award or the Honor Medal.

**jgibson2**[$] · #16 07-12-2007, 05:26 PM

Even the Scoutmaster didn't know. District wouldn't tell him -- but they're coming to present the award. Heroism medal and Honor award are national awards. I don't know if those can be processed quite this fast. I also don't know if District presents local awards and then forwards the applications to BSA national.

I'm glad my husband doesn't play here. I need to brag, but I'm not supposed to let him know he's getting this award.

**conradd** · #17 07-12-2007, 10:21 PM

Judy, wow! Congrats to all the heroes - what a wonderful example for the other scouts.

**drmomentum**[$] · #18 07-12-2007, 10:31 PM

It makes me angry, though, when irresponsible people are out on the water. Nobody should be near a canoe unless they can swim or at least float well enough that a life preserver can keep them safe for an extended period of time. What if someone else had died trying to rescue them? Incredibly irresponsible, if that is what happened.

Of course, even good swimmers can hit their head -- accidents can happen. That's what life vests are for.

As strong as my contempt is for irresponsible people, my admiration of heroes like your husband is even greater. Kudos!

**jgibson2**[$] · #19 07-12-2007, 11:06 PM

JP,
I wondered how the family got themselves into that predicament. Nearly everyone there had rented canoes from the same company. I don't know if that was the case here -- I suspect it was. Non swimmers don't usually own their own canoes. Bob didn't feel that he was putting himself seriously at risk. He had a PFD and a canoe. He had friends with equal or better equipment. If it had just been one rescuer and the family, things could have gotten really ugly.