GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Months after an Amtrak derailment in Missouris left four dead and over 100 injured, the heroic actions by the members of two Appleton boy scout troops continue to be recognized. The scouts were honored with National Heroism awards at the annual Golden Eagle Event at Lambeau Field Tuesday night.
On June, 27, an Amtrak in Missouri derailed after hitting a dump truck. The troops were on the train, returning from a trip to New Mexico. Matt Suprise, Logan Poelzer and Mason Geissler were among the scouts from troops 12 and 73 who provided assistance for passengers who were injured. Although their actions were labeled as heroic, they still don’t see it that way.
“I guess it’s kind of humbling to get all this response,” Poelzer said. “I mean, it’s kind of cool, but we weren’t the only ones helping. Everyone else was doing their part too.”
They say they were simply following what they’ve learned.
“I’m not sure who said it, but there was one scout who goes, ‘Alright, guys. We need to make a plan here’,” Geissler said. “‘What are we going to do to fix this situation?’”
“I thought I would be a whole lot more stressed in that situation, but it was just another Monday,” Suprise said.
“The boys led. They led adults. They led the injured. They put others before themselves,” said Matt Schultz, Assistant Scout Master.
Schultz said it’s a testament of the way the boys were trained. He believes any other troops would have done the same.
“Our ride home didn’t go the way we wanted it to. But in that moment in the train crash, it didn’t take long for every leader on board to do the right thing.”
Even after receiving the honor, the scouts say their lives haven’t changed much since that moment, although they have received more attention than expected.
“Personally I just think it’s kind of crazy,” Suprise said. “I mean it’s obviously not the kind way I’d like to make national news on, but I never thought I’d be this famous in my entire life.”
Seventeen scouts in total were recognized and given awards. The four scout leaders on board were honored at the event as well.
