Huber Heights Youth Earns National Lifesaving Award

[Huber Heights, Ohio, February 6, 2019] Those in attendance to the Young Marines meeting this week were witness to a Young Marine earning a prestigious award. YM/GySgt John Sollinger, a Huber Heights resident, earned the 3rd Degree Lifesaving Award from the Young Marines National Headquarters.

The award is given to any Young Marine who distinguishes themselves by heroism for acts of lifesaving or attempted lifesaving of another human being, animal, or wildlife. The degrees are based on the amount of danger the Young Marine put themselves in when performing the actions.

Sollinger earned his based on his actions back on July 13, 2018 when a fellow Young Marine in the vehicle started having a seizure while on the way to an encampment. The driver pulled over at the next exit and Sollinger helped flag another Adult Volunteer who was an off-duty fire fighter and EMT to come to assist with the Young Marine. He stayed with the Young Marine throughout the process while calling 911 to get first responders on site to further assist. As they got closer, Sollinger went outside the gas station where they were and helped direct the ambulance to the proper location. He came to the hospital to be with the Young Marine until his parents arrived. His efforts that day saved or at least helped in saving the quality of life for that Young Marine.

“The staff and I are very proud of YM/GySgt Sollinger for how he responded to the situation,” said J. Keagan Miller, unit commander of the Miami Valley Young Marines. “Our program prides itself on teaching self-discipline to ensure Young Marines can handle themselves in any situation.”

Sollinger joined the program in 2014 and currently serves as the Unit Gunnery Sergeant for the Miami Valley Young Marines. He is a senior in high school and plans to continue to serve upon graduation as a member of the United States Marine Corps.

About the Young Marines

The Young Marines is a national non-profit 501c (3) youth education and service program for boys and girls, age eight through the completion of high school. The Young Marines promotes the mental, moral and physical development of its members. The program focuses on teaching the values of leadership, teamwork and self-discipline, so its members can live and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

Since the Young Marines' humble beginnings in 1959 with one unit and a handful of boys, the organization has grown to 264 units with 8,950 youth and 2,600 adult volunteers in 39 states, the District of Columbia and Okinawa with affiliates in other countries.

For more information, visit our website at www.miamivalleyyoungmarines.com or the National website at www.youngmarines.com.