Cleveland boy wins national scouting award

EMERY COUNTY PROGRESS
    Robert Brayden Thomas of Cleveland, Utah receives National Certificate of Merit from the Boy Scouts of America.
    The requirements for receiving this award are as follows: Recognition may be given to a member of
the Boy Scouts of America—Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, Venturer, or adult leader—where the evidence presented to the National Court of Honor, in accordance with prescribed regulations, shows that he or she saved or attempted to save life under circumstances that indicate heroism and risk of his or her own life.
Awards are issued in the name of the Boy Scouts of America.
    The National Certificate of Merit may be awarded to a youth member or adult leader who has performed a significant act of service that is deserving of special national recognition.
    Robert Brayden Thomas (who was 10 and only weighing 75 lbs when this act of heroism was performed), enjoys helping his elderly neighbor Kit Anderson. While Brayden was in the corral walking Kit’s horses, Kit went into his shed, where he had almost a 1,000 lbs of plywood stacked up against the wall.
    The wood was for a barn he was planning to build. As Kit walked by the leaning wood it fell, trapping him underneath it.
    Unable to move he called out for Brayden.
    Brayden studied the situation, and realized that he was unable to lift the wood off of him.
    Looking around he found a 2X4 and a cinder block, and made a lever, and tried to pry the wood off of his neighbor, but the wood wouldn’t budge. Realizing that he still needed more force to lift the wood, he climbed on top of the 2X4 and jumped on it. Each jump lifted the wood just enough toallow Kit to wiggle out.
Once freed from the wood Brayden helped him home, and later when Kit went to the hospital, he discovered that his leg had been broken in three places below his knee.
    Kit considers Brayden his hero. Brayden didn’t panic, he thought things out, and did his best.
    Brayden received his award at the Tavaputs District meeting Feb. 10, by District and State BSA officials. It was re-presented to him on Feb. 15 at the Cleveland Ward Blue and Gold Banquet where he was also given a plaque from his troop.         Scout Leader Owen Olsen said, that he has been in scouting for many years, and this is the first time that he has ever been able to present this award to a scout.
Brayden is the son of Robert and Baylie Thomas.
    Kit’s accident happened on Aug. 1, 2017. Brayden and Kit are neighbors, and Brayden spends a lot of time with Kit helping him with chores and things.
    The court gives consideration to resourcefulness and to demonstrated skill in rescue methods and Brayden was determined to have been very resourceful in rescuing Kit Anderson.
    The National Court of Honor determined from the evidence presented that Brayden Thomas was a very worthy recipient of this prestigious award.