Contributed Photo: From left, Brad Grosse, Vaughn Grosse, Gen Grosse, and Crew Advisor Jake Anderson pose for a picture.
Contributed Article
SCOTTSDALE – Vaughn Grosse, an Eagle Scout and Venture Crew president of the Grand Canyon Council Troop 8051, will be awarded the Heroism Award from the National Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Court of Honor Committee on Tuesday, Dec. 12. This honor is presented to Scouts who have endeavored to save a life and put themselves in danger to do so.
In March, while traveling back to his hometown of Yuma, Ariz. from Phoenix, Grosse came upon a serious automobile accident on the side of Interstate 8, with one vehicle in flames.
Grosse instructed his mother to call 9-1-1 and quickly jumped into action to assist two United States Marines who were already on site working to rescue the man inside the vehicle. Together Grosse and the marines extinguished a portion of the fire and pulled the man from the burning vehicle.
Grosse, who is certified by the American Red Cross for first aid and CPR, knew how to handle back injuries and kept the man still and comfortable while they waited for the fire crew and ambulance to arrive. After emergency crews arrived at the scene, he helped them carefully load the injured man onto a stretcher and into the ambulance, set up hazard cones, and cleared the road of debris.
“I have always been taught to help a person in need by the Scouting program so when we approached the accident, I knew I had to do something,” said Grosse. “I am grateful that we were able to save the man and prevent any further injuries. My Scouting skills have always been helpful, but they came in especially handy in this situation.”
Grosse’s bravery and selflessness, along with the application of his Scouts BSA training and additional safety education, were critical in this high-intensity emergency. Grosse is proud to be an example to current and future Scouts to show how the vital skills they are learning do serve a greater purpose to those who are in distress and need help.
“I do not have the words to express how proud I am of Vaughn,” said Jacob Anderson, fellow Grand Canyon Council Scout, and witness to Grosse’s rescue. “His ability to utilize the skills, leadership, and ability to act under pressure which was learned through his many years of scouting is beyond amazing.”
For more information visit www.grandcanyonbsa.org.
About the Grand Canyon Council, Inc.:
The Grand Canyon Council, Inc., Boy Scouts of America is a legally and financially independent nonprofit organization chartered by BSA to deliver Scouting programs throughout most of central and northern Arizona, a small part of southern Utah, and a small part of southwestern New Mexico. Their mission is to prepare young people to make ethical choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law. For more information, visit www.grandcanyonbsa.org. Youth looking to join Scouting can visit www.beascout.org to learn more.
