Cub Scouts meet local heroes

Oakwood VFD fireman Joe Minter helps Cub Scout Isaac Smith hold onto the fire hose. Photo by Melissa Missildine The Oakwood Cub Scouts have been studying heroes this month. They learned that real heroes don't wear tights and capes. They are our doctors, nurses, teachers, military, police, firemen, and EMS.

To learn about our local heroes, they started with Veteran's Day and our military heroes. They met men who had fought in every war from Iraq going back to World War II. Most of these Scouts have family members who are currently in the military. That made Veteran's Day hit home just a little more.

Next, the Scouts of Pack 610 got a surprise visit from local ambulance service, Legacy EMS. EMTs Joseph Kozlowsky and Robby Boettcher brought their ambulance to a Scout meeting. The Scouts got to climb into the ambulance and check out all of the equipment, ask questions, and received a talk on what to do in an emergency situation. They learned the most important thing they could do in an emergency was to stay calm. They also learned that this ambulance is a mobile ICU. That's the best kind. It was reassuring to know they would be in good hands if they ever needed to call 911.

The Oakwood Volunteer Fire Department opened up the firehouse to Pack 610. The Scouts got to meet some of the local firemen. They met Fire Chief Nathan Smith, Joe Minter, and Gregory Smith. They learned that these men don't get paid to be heroes. The Scouts got to check out the equipment, the uniforms, and all of the vehicles. They got to see the sprayer on the top of one of the trucks in action. Then they got to have a turn trying to hold onto a fire hose. They found out that, yes, it will knock you off your feet just like in the cartoons. Firemen must be very strong to do their jobs.

Oakwood Cub Scout Pack 610 salutes all of the REAL heroes.