Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation presents American Spirit Award to Boy Scout
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| Jack Pape Boy Scout from Nebraska |
The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation will present its American Spirit Award to Jack Pape, a 17-year-old Boy Scout from Omaha, Nebraska. Pape, a junior in high school, will be recognized for his heroic efforts in 2008 and 2009 during a variety of ceremonies Friday, March 25. The American Spirit Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate extraordinary skill, professionalism, and a spirit of excellence in a challenging situation.
Pape will be recognized for helping to provide first aid to Scouts injured during the tornado that struck Little Sioux Scout Ranch in 2008 and for administering CPR to a young boy who had stopped breathing while at a hotel swimming pool in 2009.
“When I first heard about the American Spirit Award, I was really surprised to be nominated,” Pape said. “It seemed like kind of a big deal. I’m just a normal teenager. I was scared when I was faced with these situations but I didn’t think about it. I just did what needed to be done. There wasn’t really any other option.”
“We are excited and honored to recognize Jack Pape with the American Spirit Award,” said Gen. Nick Kehoe, president of the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation. “Like so many of the youth in Boy Scouts of America, Jack truly embodies the values represented by the American Spirit Award and the Medal of Honor.”
Pape and his family, parents Anne and Jerry Pape, will participate in the National Medal of Honor Day activities on March 25 at Arlington National Cemetery, where he will receive the American Spirit Award. In addition, Boys’ Life magazine will feature Pape in an upcoming issue, and he will serve as an ambassador for the youth-focused publication throughout the remainder of its 100-year anniversary celebration.
“It’s a huge honor,” Pape said Tuesday before catching a plane to Washington.
Pape said he was looking forward to meeting Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta, an Iowa native, at the ceremony.
Boys’ Life magazine will feature Pape in a coming issue and he will serve as an ambassador for the publication, which celebrates its centennial this year.
Gov. Dave Heineman will proclaim that Friday is Jack Pape Day in Nebraska. And Pape will be recognized Tuesday during a special school assembly at Elkhorn Mount Michael.
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