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A Cub Scout Hero is Recognized


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This needs no explanation.

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Cub Scout gets lifesaving medal

 

Monday, January 26, 2004

 

9-year-old Monroe boy steered vehicle and gave medicine to his diabetic aunt

By JOSEPH P. SMITH and GISELLE SOTELO

Gannett News Service

VINELAND

 

The Boy Scouts of America presented its highest lifesaving award to a 9-year-old Monroe boy who steered an out-of-control sport utility vehicle to safety in Cumberland County.

 

Brandon DiMatties, a Cub Scout from the township's Williamstown section, received the Honor Medal with Crossed Palms during ceremonies at the Wingate Inn.

 

"I am happy and excited," Brandon said. He plans to hang the medal on his "hero wall," which already has a newspaper clipping with his photo and a brass plaque his school gave him for his actions.

 

The award stems from the heroism he showed June 27.

 

Brandon and his aunt were on their way to see Brandon's mom - Holly DiMatties, 31 - who was recovering from surgery at South Jersey Healthcare, Bridgeton.

 

Brandon's aunt went into diabetic shock while they were driving on Irving Avenue in Upper Deerfield.

 

He said he realized something was wrong when his aunt ran a stop sign. Another motorist estimated the Pathfinder reached 90 mph and, when the vehicle swerved into the path of an 18-wheeler, Brandon said he screamed his aunt's name to try to wake her.

 

He then kicked his aunt's foot off the gas and pulled the vehicle off the road.

 

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After stopping, he measured his aunt's blood sugar level using a glucometer - he calls it a "blood sugar taker" - and administered glucose tablets to start her recovery.

 

"He not only helped his aunt there, he helped a lot of other innocent people that could've been killed," said Ed Loughman, vice president of administration for the Boy Scouts' Southern New Jersey Council.

 

Holly DiMatties pinned the honor medal on Brandon's blue Cub Scout uniform at the conclusion of Wednesday night's ceremony.

 

The scouts have three levels of lifesaving awards. Last year, only 16 members nationwide received the Honor Medal with Crossed Palms.

 

Brandon qualified because he demonstrated "unusual heroism and extraordinary resourcefulness in saving a life at extreme risk to himself," said Dave Parry, executive director of the scouts council.

 

"He's definitely among a select group," added council spokesman Jim Milham. "And it's very rare for a Cub Scout to get it."

 

 

 

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