Two Dearborn Youths Earns National Lifesaving Award

[Westland, Mi., April 11, 2019] Those in attendance at the Michigan Regimental Young Marines annual field meet this weekend were witness to a Young Marine earning a prestigious award. YM/SSgt Paul Mason and YM/Cpl Luke Mason both Dearborn residents, earned the 2nd Degree Lifesaving Award from the Young Marines National Headquarters and presented to them by the Division and Regimental Commanders.

The award is given to any Young Marine who distinguishes himself/herself by heroism for acts of lifesaving, or attempted lifesaving with limited life-threatening risk to one’s own life for the benefit of another human being. The degrees are based on the amount of danger the Young Marine put themselves in when performing the actions.

These Young Marines earned this award based on their actions actions back on November 8th, 2018 when eating at a local diner, they noticed a man hit and drug by a car near the Southfield Service Drive. The Young Marines immediately jumped up and stated "I think that man is hurt" they ran out with their father, got a medical kit and assisted the unconscious and bleeding man who was laying in the middle of the street. Soon after, while tending to the man, 911 was called and the injured man was assisted to the curb after still being in the middle of the road.

"The staff and I are very proud of YM/SSgt Mason and YM/Cpl Mason for how they responded to the situation," said John Israel, former unit commander of the Canton/Westland Area Young Marines. "Our program prides itself on teaching self-discipline to ensure Young Marines can handle themselves in any situation."

Both Paul and Luke Mason joined the program several years ago and currently serve in leadership capacities for the Canton Young Marines. They are both attend Quest Middle School in Taylor and plan to join the military after High School.

About the Young Marines
The Young Marines is a national non-profit 501c (3) youth education and service program for boys and girls, age eight through the completion of high school. The Young Marines promotes the mental, moral and physical development of its members. The program focuses on teaching the values of leadership, teamwork and self-discipline, so its members can live and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.
Since the Young Marines' humble beginnings in 1959 with one unit and a handful of boys, the organization has grown to 264 units with 8,950 youth and 2,600 adult volunteers in 39 states, the District of Columbia and Okinawa with affiliates in other countries.
For more information, visit our website at https://www.facebook.com/CantonYoungMarines/or the National website at www.youngmarines.com.