Fifteen year old honored for heroic actions

Being prepared in life can help many people in many ways
BY CHUCK TUCK | JOURNAL REPORTER “On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.”

The words of a scout and his oath are permanently etched in the minds and hearts of many boys and girls who become a scout.

Joseph Plumb of troop 29 out of Arlington was recently awarded what to many may be considered the highest award for heroism there is; he is credited with helping save a life.

In a ceremony held at the Granite Falls Fire Department last week, Plumb was awarded a heroism award by the Granite Falls Fire Department and the Boy Scouts of America.

Attended by many of Plumb’s fellow scouts, families, and fire officials, he graciously accepted his award.

Plumb is 15, and stands over six feet tall and casts a considerable shadow.

Plumb’s father Joe Plumb proudly stated that he has a good son.
Before Plumb accepted his award, his Scout Master Bob Fletcher read a speech he had prepared.

“Joseph is receiving an award from the Boy Scouts of America that I have seen only twice in the last 38 years, and tonight is one of those nights,” Fletcher said.

He spoke of the responsibilities that Plumb has as a young business owner running a lawn care service, and how he (Plumb) had said that he has no time for a personal life because he is so busy.

Fletcher’s own commentary to that was, “Welcome to the real world,” which brought some laughter to the adults in the crowd.

He continued to say that Plumb was no longer a boy.

“Joseph is 15,” said Fletcher, “He’s not a young boy; he’s growing to be quite a young man.”

As individuals transition from one level of scouts to another, they also prepare themselves for a higher level of accountability by following their motto.

“Now the Cub Scout motto is; do your best, and the Boy Scout motto is; be prepared, do your best, be prepared, pretty good words to live by,” Fletcher said.

Plumb lived-up to his motto as a scout, and took action on that morning which helped a family gain a few treasured days that otherwise would have been lost.

Dale Stinson, 62, was one of Plumb’s lawn care customers.

Plumb had finished mowing the lawn and had gone to the Stinson’s house to collect his money when Stinson’s wife Lori answered the door.
She went to get the money for Plumb, but returned to the door saying her husband was not breathing.

She asked Plumb if he knew CPR, and he went to where Stinson lay, and moved him to the floor for better support and proceeded with the CPR.

The Granite Falls Fire Department was called and dispatched and took-over at the scene on their arrival.

Stinson’s sister Joy Roberts approached the front of the crowded room and addressed everyone telling them of Plumb’s heroic act.

She then looked at Plumb and said, “I want you to know that your quick response gave us six more days with my brother.”

Roberts also wanted to make sure that the efforts of the Granite Falls Fire Department and paramedics did not go unnoticed, saying she was grateful for all that they had done as well.

Plumb in his quiet voice said that the evening was a little overwhelming, but exciting.

He says when recalling back to the day that everything happened, he can remember being scared.

“It was scary, I was kind of in shock, but I knew how to do it (CPR) so I just did it,” Plumb said.

His mother Cindy Hagerty said she recalls getting a phone call from her son on that day.

He said, “Mom you need to come and get me,” I thought Why, it’s your dad’s day today. “Then he said, “I just had to perform CPR on one of my customers.”

As she ended her story, she turned to her son and said, “I’m very proud.”

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