TWO OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK RANGERS RECEIVE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR VALOR AWARDS
from nps.gov
Rangers Keith Flanery and Dan Mason were presented with Department of Interior Valor Awards at a ceremony Monday in Washington, D.C. Two of seven National Park Service employees so honored this year, Flanery and Mason each received gold medals from Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt. "These dedicated public servants are the pillars of their services, our department and of the federal government," said Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt. "They inspire us to take pride in our work and challenge us to match the high standards of their achievements." Ranger Keith Flanery was recognized for his heroic June 1995 rescue of a 12-year old boy from the Queets River. While monitoring the Queets River ford during a time of high water, Flanery saw a 1 2-year old boy swept off his feet and carried swiftly downstream by the river. Flanery entered the river, found the boy, who had gone below the surface, and successfully pulled him from the 38-degree water. Ranger Dan Mason was recognized for preventing an armed, intoxicated, suicidal man from injuring himself or others along busy Highway 101 near Lake Crescent last January. Mason successfully disarmed the individual, removing two loaded weapons from his possession. He also convinced the potential suicide victim to seek medical and mental assistance, and provided support to this individual until he was released to medical care in Port Angeles. Negotiations were conducted at close quarters, with the ever present possibility that the individual would shoot himself or Mason. "Both of these rangers knowingly placed themselves in grave danger and displayed exceptional courage to save another person's life," said Superintendent David Morris. 'We are proud to join Secretary Babbitt in recognizing and applauding these two fine rangers." Established in 1957, the Valor Award is the highest honor granted by the Department of Interior to employees who demonstrate unusual courage involving a high degree of personal risk in the face of danger. Keith Flanery has been a seasonal and term ranger in the Kalaloch area of Olympic National Park since 1991. Dan Mason has been the Lake Crescent District Ranger since 1993 and an employee of the National Park Service since 1973. |