From Serving His Community To Serving His Country
"It's really about what scouting represents"
Reporter: Brian Mastre WOWT Channel 6 News
Normally, Jack Pape would be wearing his scout uniform instead of his school uniform for an interview. "It's getting tailored to make sure I look all nice and pretty for this trip."
He'll need it when he meets with top government officials this week, from the White House to the CIA. "I'm very lucky and blessed to be picked for this trip."
The Elkhorn Mount Michael High School senior was selected because of his outstanding heroism, preparedness and ongoing leadership. Pape was in Little Sioux, Iowa in 2008 when a tornado tore through the Boy Scout campsite.
"I was in the shelter that got hit and I was thrown about 20 yards backwards from the tornado. The shelter was completely gone and ran back and started working on the first people I saw who needed help."
Four of his friends, fellow scouts, died that June day. "I don't know why I was the person to be singled out for the recognition because there were so many boys there that did things similar to me."
Pape will graduate from Mount Michael in May. What will he do for an encore? Judging from his decision, it seems fairly logical. "I'll be going active duty military."
The Eagle Scout will be joining the United States Army and plans to study bomb disposal. “My mom was nervous and anxious about it. I don't know how to explain it, it's just something I feel like I should be doing."
From serving his country to mentoring and leading others, scouts will always be there, even in the face of tragedy. “This isn't me saying look at what I've done. It's really about what scouting represents. What I have done is only because of scouting."
