Boy Scouts honor school shooting heroes

Just read this in USA Today on-line while helping my LD daughter with her
homework and thought I'd post it here:

08/06/98- Updated 08:06 AM ET
The Nation's Homepage

Boy Scouts honor school shooting heroes

SPRINGFIELD, Ore. - As a Boy Scout, Jake Ryker swears to an oath that
includes "to help other people at all times."

That's what the 17-year-old student was doing when he overcame a bullet to
the chest and tackled a gunman who had opened fire in his high school
cafeteria in May.

For his actions, Ryker on Monday will receive the Boy Scouts of America's
highest award for heroism, the Honor Medal with Crossed Palms.

Four others, all Boy Scouts, including Jake's 14-year-old brother, Josh,
quickly piled on the alleged gunman, Kip Kinkel. They will receive
scouting's second-highest heroism award, the Honor Medal.

It will mark the first time in the 88-year history of the Boy Scouts that
five heroism medals have been awarded at one time, said Tim Parker, national
spokesman for the Scouts.

Two students died and 22 others were wounded in the May 21 shooting rampage
at Thurston High School. Kinkel, 15, also is accused of shooting and killing
his parents the day before the cafeteria rampage, and leaving their house
rigged with bombs.

Jake Ryker, a 6-foot-4 wrestling star at Thurston, said he had been shot but
acted after he noticed the shooter had come to the end of a clip of ammunition.

Since the Honor Medal with Crossed Palms was established in 1938, only 125
have been awarded.

By The Associated Press

Ginny Gillam
Pack/Troop 164
Edenton, NC

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