Sellersville Boy Scout wins national award

A local Boy Scout received a National Medal of Merit from the Boys Scouts of America (BSA) earlier this spring.

The Sellersville Scout performed the Heimlich maneuver on a choking child in a restaurant where he was working last June. He observed the situation, stood the small child up in his chair, and dislodged the food. The child was then safe and able to breathe.

After learning of the event, troop leaders asked the Scout to fill out a form from the BSA called “Recommendation for Lifesaving or Meritorious Action Awards.” The form was submitted to the Washington Crossing BSA Council along with surveillance footage of the event.

After consideration by the council, the action was deemed worthy of a National Medal of Merit and was forwarded to the national BSA.

The medal is awarded to Scouts and Scouters who have performed an act of meritorious service above and beyond that normally expected of a youth or adult member. This act may involve a lifesaving effort but is not confined to lifesaving. It may also be awarded for any meritorious action using some aspect of scouting skills or learning.

The award was presented at the group’s annual Troop Banquet & Court of Honor on March 26 at Saint Michael’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.

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