Youth Heroes Recognized

By: Joan Chwala, Feb. 25, 2008

Two Stanley-Boyd High School Freshmen were enjoying the football game between the Colby Hornets and the Stanley-Boyd Orioles on a nice Friday evening in September. Just eleven seconds into the second half, a Dodge Caravan smashed into the nearby ambulance and tore through the chain link fence. Some younger kids were pinned under the fence. Tyler Steinmetz and Kashin Carpenter were singled out for freeing them. This incident was reported in the September 13, 2007, issue of the Stanley Republican.

Members of the National American Legion Auxiliary realized that youth are often given publicity for breaking the law, unruly behavior, and "weird" dress. They also acknowledged that youth do many wonderful things and decided to award them in a way that will let the public and families share in this knowledge. The Children and Youth Program has an ongoing search for winners of the Youth Hero Award. Members across the United States are directed to be on the lookout for youth under the age of 18 who have performed an act of physical valor. These youth are to be nominated for the National Youth Hero Award and if chosen, receive a medal on a red, white and blue ribbon, and a citation.

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 326 nominated both Tyler and Kashin for this prestigious award. The unit also decided to reward them each with a check for $25 and a free fish fry meal for themselves and their parents at the Boyd American Legion. When invited, they were asked to bring any family and friends that might be interested in witnessing the presentation of the Youth Hero Awards. On the evening of February 22, 2008, the boys and their families were officially recognized. Kashin Carpenter’s parents, Harold and Deanna Lee, and his two siblings, were in attendance, as were his grandparents, Mark and Gloria Carpenter from Gilman. Tyler Steinmetz was honored with the presence of his parents, Vicky Brunner and Ron Faulkenberg, grandparents Kenneth and Geneva Brunner, aunts, uncles and cousins as well as several neighbors.

Kashin and Tyler were asked to come to the front of the room. Auxiliary Unit Children and Youth Chairman, Joan Chwala, opened the ceremonies by introducing herself and Unit President Teresa Isensee. She then explained that the boys were being congratulated for their valor and that the National American Legion Auxiliary had chosen them to be recipients of the Youth Hero Award. She read the official nomination descriptions that explained the incident. President Isensee then put the medals around their necks, and presented them with their citations and checks. Each boy introduced his family. In closing, Chwala asked the crowd to give the families a hand for raising such fine young men and with a bit of humor, added, "As Kashin’s former teacher, and Tyler’s former neighbor, I’d also like to take a little credit for their great character!"

The American Legion Auxiliary is committed to supporting veterans and troops, their families, their communities, and all children and youth. Other parts of the Children and Youth Program include Child Safety, partnering with the Children’s Miracle Network, the Child Welfare Foundation, and National Family Week.