By Henry Luzzatto

Correspondent

Michael Brown, Kirk Ring, Tyler Robinson and David Robinson have one important thing in common: all four members of the Boy Scouts of America played a part in saving someone’s life.

Their exceptional acts of heroism were cause for celebration Wednesday morning, as the Boy Scouts of America presented awards to the four.

Brown, Ring and Tyler Robinson each received a National Certificate of Merit, while David Robinson, Tyler’s father, received a Medal of Honor with Crossed Palms, the highest honor given for lifesaving in the Scouts.

The awards were presented at the downtown Hilton Garden Inn by Congressman Randy Forbes, who was himself a Scout in his younger years, rising all the way to Life Scout, the second highest level of scouting. Forbes began his speech with a discussion of the meaning of heroism.

Heroes, he said, are not flashy comic book characters with no weakness, but rather, “heroes are the ones who train methodically and then they use that training in a moment of time to change the world.”

Forbes emphasized the Scout training, saying that made it possible for each of the recipients to react the way they did.

“In that instance when you have to apply your training,” Forbes concluded, “you become a hero.”

Michael Brown, an Eagle Scout of Boy Scout Troop 30, received a National Certificate of Merit for diving into the waters after a vessel had capsized on a whitewater-rafting trip. He could not recall how many he saved, but he said that it was either four or five.

Brown, an Eagle Scout and a senior at Lakeland High School, was honored to have the award. “It feels great,” Brown said. “A lot of really good people showed up today.”

Kirk Ring, Tyler Robinson and David Robinson were next to receive awards. The trio was driving back from a Scout retreat when they saw a car billowing smoke. David Robinson pulled over and pulled the driver from the burning wreckage, as Ring and Tyler Robinson contacted emergency services and cared for the injured man.

Tyler Robinson and Ring both said that they were “humbled” by receiving the awards, and that they hope to continue to be involved in Scouting as they get older.

David Robinson said he is proud of the actions of his son and Ring.

“I’ve been with these boys for five years. It’s very humbling to see them grow up this way,” he said.

David Robinson hopes that his actions will have a wider influence in the community. “In this ‘me-first’ generation, I hope it sends a message to someone.” he said. “Help other people, even if you don’t know them. Expect nothing in return.”