Berks County Eagle Scout Gage Fecera received the Medal of Merit, which is a Meritorious Action Award, from the National Council Boy Scouts of America for Lifesaving.
“This award, boiled down, showcases lifesaving skills,” said the Douglassville teen who is a Scout in Daniel Boone Troop 595, the new merger between Troop 595 Birdsboro and Troop 521 Douglassville.
The 17-year-old Daniel Boone Area High School senior was presented the Medal of Merit by Hawk Mountain Council Chief Scout Executive Jim Milham, recognizing Gage’s lifesaving actions during a Scout Sunday service at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Birdsboro on Feb. 20.
“I was surprised and honored,” said Gage in reaction. “It’s an award I’m told isn’t given out all that often. I was surprised to earn it, but at the same time honored to be able to talk about the skills Scouting has given me.”
Last summer his grandfather severed his arm in a lawnmower accident. Gage immediately administered first aid. His actions are credited for saving his grandfather’s life. His injuries subsequently required amputation and multiple surgeries.
“My only thoughts during the ordeal were to stop the bleeding,” said Gage. “This was actually my second time saving his life. The first time I performed the Heimlich maneuver on him after he started choking on a piece of meat.”
“Both times though, we had just gone over that specific first aid skill the week prior to each event,” added Gage. “I have learned skills that actually save lives, and confidence to use those skills.”
Gage received his Medal of Merit in front of the Troop and the church congregation during the Scout Sunday service in Birdsboro.
Troop 595 Scoutmaster Kurt Freer presented to Gage a letter from one of the Tower Health trauma surgeons sent to the National Council, which stated that the only reason his grandfather survived was due to Gage’s heroics and the first aid he provided to his grandfather.
“The Medal of Merit is awarded to Scouts and Scouters who have performed some act of meritorious service above and beyond that is normally expected of a youth or adult member of the Boy Scouts of America. This act may involve a lifesaving effort, but is not confined to lifesaving,” said Freer.
In Gage’s case, his act of heroism earned him this award.
“I was incredibly proud and at the same time not surprised that he stayed calm and focused during the emergency and provided the necessary care to save his grandfather’s life,” said Freer.
“He just stays calm and focuses on what needs to be done — a true servant leader,” added Freer. “Gage is a humble leader who leads by example. He never wishes to be in front of the group, but he models behaviors that others see and follow.”
In addition to lifesaving skills, Gage said Troop 595 has taught him skills for life that he will use every day.
“I have gone camping, in some cool places like West Point Military Academy, Washington, D.C., Gettysburg and so many other cool adventures that I can’t even remember,” said Gage.
“Troop 595 and my family have made me into the man I am today.”
A Troop Merger
Also during the Scout Sunday service, Freer gave a Mission Update, which is an annual report, to the congregation on the topic of “the only constant is change.”
Troop 595 changed charter partners from St. Paul’s UCC in Birdsboro to St. Gabriel’s Church in Douglassville. Scout Sunday on Feb. 20 was their last formal event at their former charter sponsor.
Although Troop 595 will remain active in the community, the event marked a formal transition from one church sponsor to another as well as a merger with Troop 521 Douglassville.
“The message was that although we are changing charter partners, the Troop will support both congregations with the goal to spread Scouting to a broader community,” said Freer.
Troop 595 Birdsboro and Troop 521 Douglassville combined to be called Daniel Boone Troop 595 to identify the community they serve, which includes families from Bally, Boyertown, Exeter Township and Pottstown that travel to join.
“Boy Scout units across the country have been challenged with membership and COVID only exacerbated this,” Freer said. “Although Troop 595 remained active during COVID by meeting outdoors and socially distancing even during camping trips, many units were not so fortunate.”
Last fall Freer reached out to Troop 521 in Douglassville to inquire if they would be interested in combining to strengthen Scouting in the Southern Berks area.
“Troop 595 had larger membership and adult leadership and Troop 521 had enthusiastic Scouts wanting to get back to traditional Scouting and facilities that were better suited for a larger unit,” he said.
After many discussions among adult leadership and Scouts, Freer said it was decided that both the Troop and Cub Scout Packs would combine with the Boy Scout Troop meeting at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal in Douglassville and the Cub Pack meeting at St. Mark’s Lutheran in Birdsboro.
The Troop started meeting as one unit in December of 2021 and the Pack will join together effective April 1, 2022.
“This merger is an example of how units can offer their Scouts the best program possible by combining youth and adult leadership and enthusiasm to fulfill the aims of Scouting which are character development, leadership development, citizenship training and personal fitness,” said Freer.
“As Scouting continues to evolve, the focus will remain on serving the youth in our community and working together to offer the values of Scouting to all,” he continued.
As the Scoutmaster, Freer said he is always in amazement when he sees a Cub Scout take an enthusiastic interest in Scouting at a young age and then follow that Scout as they mature into responsible citizen leaders and learn skills for life.
“It is the combined youth and adult leadership that I have the honor to serve with that make all this possible,” he said.
“For families looking for a program that is truly life changing, they need look no further than their local Scouts BSA and Cub Scout unit. I’m proud to say we have an exceptional one at Daniel Boone Troop 595 in Southern Berks, but there are many across the county.”
Source: Berkshire mont