By Megan Coppersmith Szerwo and Jill VanDewoestine, May 2025
On May 21, 2025, Joseph Trusiak, formerly of Scouts BSA Troop 468 (Lancaster, NY), was honored with the Medal of Merit. The ceremony was held at Russell’s Steaks, Chops, and More and presented by Gary Decker, CEO and Scout Executive of Great Falls Council, and Kevin Cross, Great Falls Council Board President.
The Medal of Merit is awarded to youth members who have performed an outstanding act of service that is of a rare or exceptional character, that reflects an uncommon degree of concern for the well-being of others.
On February 4, 2024, Joseph was working as a busboy at Russell’s Steakhouse in Buffalo, NY, when one of the diners, Herbert Hales, began to choke on his meal. Mr. Hale’s wife began screaming and Joseph quickly responded to help. After correctly assessing the situation, Joseph knew what to do. Relying on his Scout training, he applied first aid for choking: the Heimlich maneuver. Joseph’s quick thinking and decisive action saved Mr. Hales’ life. His training enabled him to focus despite the distraction of Mrs. Hales’ screaming and the pressure of acting while in the public view, before anyone else understood the problem.
Joseph Trusiak with Herbert Hales
“Scouting teaches youth how to be prepared, whether we’re talking about a weekend campout or learning life-saving techniques to use in an emergency. We’re delighted to recognize Joseph Truziak for his remarkable example of what it means to be a Scout.” said Mr. Decker.
After he described Joseph’s actions to save Mr. Hales’ life, Mr. Cross said, “After witnessing this [event], a nearby diner asked Joseph, how did you learn to do that? To which Joseph answered, ‘in Scouts.’ Those two simple words – in Scouts – represent the life-changing program that Scouting is.”
Attending the ceremony, in addition to Mr. Decker and Mr. Cross, were Mark Jerge and Russell Salvatore of Russell’s Steakhouse, Herbert & Barbara Hales, Joseph’s parents Robert & Judy, Council Commissioner John Moscati and other Great Falls Council staff and board members, representatives from the offices of local legislators and officials, and Scoutmaster Shawn Creighton with several members and former members of Troop 468. Media outlets such as WGRZ News Channel 2, WBBZ, and Bee Publications also attended. Video highlights from the ceremony can be found on the Great Falls Council Facebook and Instagram page and YouTube channel.
Joseph described his experience that day in this way:
“I learned the Heimlich maneuver years ago, at the 2021 Klondike Derby. Several Scouts and I were in a cabin warming up and there were two adult stations: one showing how to tie various knots and the other showing first aid. We practiced the Heimlich maneuver on each other and a soft-type dummy or mannequin. It was different doing it on a real person, but in the end, a life was saved,” said Joseph.
“When Mr. Hales was choking, there was no time to get help and my Scout training kicked in. I came up behind the 76-year-old man, lifted him from the chair and did the Heimlich, just like at the Klondike Derby. Thank God the piece of stuck meat came out of his throat,” explained Joseph. “Afterward, I went back to work and told my boss that Scouts was to credit.”
“My Dad always recites to me a saying from Napoleon: the soldier who does the average thing while chaos reigns is a genius,” said Joseph. “I am just glad I worked that day and was able to help the older man.”
Joseph Trusiak with Russell’s Steaks, Chops and More
owner Russell Salvatore
Herbert Hales’ statement of the National Medal of Merit nomination for Joseph Trusiak
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