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Community Corner

Stratford Scout Earns Boy Scout Honor Medal for Saving a Friend From Drowning in 2012

MILFORD, CT (5/17/2013) – Nicholas James Elio, 10, of Stratford was presented with the Boy Scouts of America’s National Honor Medal for saving a friend from drowning at the Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard on May 15, 2013. The award presentation was the highlight Connecticut Yankee Council’s annual program kickoff which drew more than 350 leaders to the Arena. “I was swimming in the water at the beach and I met two new friends” said Nicholas, a Webelos Scout in Stratford Pack 75, wrote describing the incident on June 22, 2012 in West Haven. “We played and played until the kids’ water gun floated away. My mom called my name several times until I finally heard her. She told me he was drowning. I swam out, threw his water gun toward the shore, grabbed him and swam back to shore with him. Then I sat him down.” Nicholas’s mom Lenore Elio said that Nicholas, without hesitation saw the boy drowning and swam out to him and held the boy as he swam back to shore. “He didn’t let him go until the boy was on the beach,” she said. “Scouting’s motto is to be prepared,” said Charles Flowers, Scout Executive of the Connecticut Yankee Council. “We are all very proud of Nicholas for putting this mantra into action and using the skills and bravery he learned as a Scout to save a life.” The Honor Medal is a rare lifesaving award of the Boy Scouts of America that is presented to individuals who have demonstrated unusual heroism and skill or resourcefulness in saving or attempting to save a human life at some risk to self. Only 52 were awarded nationally in 2012, and only 2,354 have been presented since it was first awarded in 1923. “Boy Scouts taught me to help other people if I can,” said Nicholas. The Boy Scouts of America, Connecticut Yankee Council serves nearly 14,000 young people in Fairfield, New Haven and parts of Hartford counties. Scouting’s purpose is to develop youth into good citizens by instilling in them the values contained in the Scout Oath and Law. Through its various programs, youth are exposed to new interests, make new friends, gain a respect for their environment, develop leadership skills and give back to their community. For more information, visit www.ctyankee.org.

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