By Jerry Cornfield, Herald Writer
Arlington, Oso, Darrington and the Sauk-Suiattle Tribe received the Medal of Valor March 18 for heroism demonstrated by residents in response to the deadly landslide last March.
Gov. Jay Inslee presented the awards to representatives of the communities during a joint session of the state House and Senate.
The awards were accepted by Fire Chief Willy Harper on behalf of Oso, volunteer Quinn Nations for Darrington, Arlington High school student Brantly Stupey for Arlington and volunteer firefighter Kevin Lenon for the Sauk-Suiattle Tribe.
“It is very humbling to be here on behalf of the community,” Harper said before the ceremony.
Since its establishment in 2000, the Medal of Valor has only been given to eight people with the last awarded in 2007.
Wednesday marked the first time the state honored communities and a tribe with a Medal of Valor. It took a new law to do it because until this year only individuals could receive the award.
Sen. Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe, and state Reps. Dan Kristiansen, R-Snohomish, and Elizabeth Scott, R-Monroe, sponsored the bill. The three lawmakers also nominated the communities.
“It’s emotional. You can’t help but think about last year,” Pearson said. “It’s great to bring the communities together and show how strong and resilient they are.”
