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Coarsegold Boy Scout was well prepared on kayak trip

Jill Brackett

(Updated: Thursday, September 04, 2008, 7:31 PM)

It was on day two of a three-day kayaking trip last spring, along the Eel River in Northern California, that would test the true character of 12-year-old Boy Scout Fletcher Haggard.

In a split second, family friend, 7-year-old Shane Hogg, was overturned in his kayak just ahead of Haggard.

Struggling, but unable to pull the release on the kayak's spray skirt, Hogg lost his paddle to the rapids, making it impossible for him to roll his kayak upright. Haggard quickly left his own kayak, swam to the aid of the boy, and, righting the boat, pulled it and Hogg safely to the shore.

"It was just a kind of impulse," said Haggard of the rescue. "When it was over, I was just happy [Shane] was OK."

Dad watched

Watching the rescue, far out of reach upstream, was Fletcher's father, Randy Haggard. "I felt confident watching Fletcher, he's a really good swimmer, but it was still pretty spooky," Haggard said. "It just makes it seem that Scouts is a good thing."

Fletcher joined the Boy Scouts just over a year ago and said that was where he learned the skills to perform this kind of rescue.

When local troop leader George Stillman heard of the rescue, he was impressed and began investigating.

"The more I investigated, the more I wanted to make sure he got recognition," Stillman said. "Sometimes you hear about something like this and it turns out it was embellished.

"But with this story, it was like the more I looked into it, the bigger it got."

Stillman submitted a recommendation to both the Sequoia Boy Scout Council and to national council.

A national award

Last month, the Boy Scouts of America National Court of Honor, affirmed that Haggard had passed the test of character by awarding him one of its highest honors, the Medal of Merit for heroism.

"He used Scout skills for a life-saving rescue," said Kevin Friedich, district executive for Madera County. "It's gratifying when a boy uses his Scout skills like that; it's what makes [Boy Scouts] worthwhile."

Randy and Fletcher Haggard agree.

Fletcher says he is grateful for what he has gained from the organization. "I've learned to respect people for who they are," he said. "I've learned how to be trustworthy, a leader and it has given me a wide variety of experiences."

For Fletcher's dad, who is principal at Coarsegold Elementary School, it's been the emphasis on community that has impressed him the most.

"When Fletcher started, the older boys really took him under their wing," he said. "And now that Fletcher is one of the older ones, I see him giving back in the same way."

The recognition has been a challenge for the shy Scout, however.

"He's not a person who likes to have the spotlight," said Haggard of his son.

Stillman also made note of Fletcher's tendency to shy from the limelight. "Fletcher is adventurous but mild-mannered. He doesn't like notoriety and he's extremely respectful," Stillman said. "In fact, he might be embarrassed I submitted this."

A modest guy

Fletcher admitted that the attention has been a little hard to get used to.

"On our last trip, the leader called me up in front. He pointed to my badge told everyone they should shake my hand because I was awarded a high honor," Fletcher said, thankful, but with tone of exasperation. "So, for a whole day and a half people shook my hand."

Fletcher, on the younger end of his Scout level, was recently elected patrol leader, with duties that include running his troop meetings and helping to lead trips.

Considered a role model in his troop, Fletcher plans to advance to an Eagle Scout within the next year. He hopes to be a police officer when he grows up.