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Boy Scout awarded for heroic response at Pine-Richland

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Freshman and AFJROTC cadet Henry Gaffey, giving a double thumbs up, poses for a picture with his friend Spencer Harris (sitting, red shirt), a Pine-Richland High School sophomore, and two rangers after Henry assisted Spencer, who was bit by a rattlesnake on a Boy Scouts hiking trip in New Mexico. Spencer made a full recovery thanks to Henry's quick thinking.
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The Gaffey family: Brother Andrew Gaffey, a high school senior; mother, Lisa Gaffe;, award recipient Henry Gaffey; Henry's twin sister, Molly; brother Charlie, a high school junior; and father, Will Gaffey.

Henry Gaffey took the Boy Scout motto “be prepared” to heart when he became certified in wilderness first aid in May, but said he never expected to use it in real life.

However, after a friend was bitten by a rattlesnake on a camping trip in New Mexico this past summer, the Pine-Richland freshman leapt into action and put his skills to use to save his friend's life.

For keeping his cool and rushing to his friend's aid, Henry, 14, was awarded the Air Force Junior ROTC Silver Valor award at a surprise ceremony on Dec. 7 at Pine-Richland High School.

“I never thought I'd use it, I just had it so if something did happen, I'd know what to do,” Henry said of his first aid training.

The Silver Valor Award is given to a cadet who was in instrumental in saving someone's life without risking their own, said Chief Master Sgt. Michael Gasparetto, one of the leaders of the Pine-Richland AFJROTC program.

It is the second highest honor an AFJROTC cadet can receive. In addition, Henry was promoted from Airman Basic to Cadet Airman and received commendations from Pennsylvania House Speaker Mike Turzai, U.S. Senator Pat Toomey, U.S. Rep Keith Rothfus and Bob Schleiden with the American Legion Post #548

“Every now and then an opportunity comes knocking, and it all depends on how you address it,” said Maj. Michael Morrison, co-leader of the AFJROTC at Pine-Richland. “A hero is someone who takes an ordinary opportunity and turns it into something extraordinary.”

Henry's parents, Will and Lisa, and three siblings were in attendance at the ceremony, as were the high school principals, Superintendent Brian Miller and assistant superintendent Michael Pasquinelli.

Boy Scout Troop 344, based at Salem United Methodist Church, traveled to Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, N.M. for a two-week hiking and camping trip in July, said Tim Harris, one of the adult advisors on the trip and father of the boy bit by the snake.

On their last day on the trail at a rendezvous point, Spencer Harris, a sophomore at Pine-Richland, was bitten by a Western diamondback rattlesnake while walking through some tall grass.

Henry, a Life Scout, was about 100 feet away when he heard in distress, so he ran to his backpack and grabbed his first aid kit. Henry was one of two people in their 11-person crew certified in wilderness first aid.

“I made sure he stayed calm and cleaned the wound like a normal cut or scrape,” Henry said. The key was to make sure Spencer stayed calm because if his heart rate went up, it would increase the flow of venom in his body, he said.

Spencer was evacuated from the camp and went to the ICU of a nearby hospital where he received the anti-venom to treat the bite. He made a full recovery, thanks in part to Henry's aid, Tim Harris said.

Henry said he's learned from this experience that you can never be too prepared and to always be prepared for anything.

“The training that the Boy Scouts receive on a regular basis, as with Henry's specialized training, allowed for all the scouts to return from this great adventure,” Harris said.

Rachel Farkas is a Tribune- Review contributor.