Boy Scout Troop 325
Scoutmaster Minute
Scout Earns Medal of Merit
February 13, 2007
from The Jackson Sun newpaper
Larry Polyak, Scoutmaster

Congratulations to 10-year-old Nicholas Best of Jackson, Tennesse for receiving a prestigious Boy Scouts honor on Dec. 12.
On Dec. 28, 2005, Nicholas' father, Dave Best, was getting ready for dinner. "I was chopping celery and looked away for a moment to see what my 2 year old son was doing, and proceeded to cut off part of my middle finger on my right hand."

After the initial shock, Dave called Nicholas for help."Nicholas was quick in getting the first aid kit and helped apply a sterile dressing to my finger. We were unable to stop the bleeding with direct pressure after applying several sterile pads on top of previous ones (the earlier ones were soaked in blood). We then tied gauze tightly around my finger to act as a tourniquet and wrapped the sterile dressings."

Nicholas turned off the range, called his mother and grandparents and then retrieved the part of the finger that was cut off and placed it into a Ziploc bag, Dave explained.

"During the entire time, Nicholas didn't panic, and took care of things that needed to be done ... moving sharp objects from his brother's reach, making sure I remained alert, and his brother safe from harm."

Officials in the emergency room were able to stop the bleeding but were unable to save the part of the finger that was cut off.

Once friends and leaders at Nicholas' Boy Scout Pack found out about Nicholas' ability to remain calm in a crisis situation, they nominated him for a Boy Scouts of America award.

The Medal of Merit is awarded to a youth member or adult leader who has performed some outstanding act of service of a rare or exceptional character that reflects an uncommon degree of concern for the well-being of others.

"If this is representative of what Scouts learn, then it's a good program," Dave said.

At the time of the incident, Dave was a parent who took his son to scout meetings. Today, Dave serves as cubmaster of the pack.

Thank you for listening.