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Salem resident Melinda Wilms holds the Carnegie Medal she received Monday from the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission for saving the life of a 12-year-old boy who drowned July 29, 2019 at Mosquito Lake in Cortland . The commission said the special education teacher and school response specialist in Akron city intervened to an extraordinary degree that day in an emotionally tense situation, putting her own life in danger to save a stranger. (Photo from Salem News by Mary Ann Greier)
Salem resident Melinda Wilms still doesn’t consider herself a hero.
She said Monday that she is “still very humbled and honored.”
When she spoke briefly in the council chamber after receiving the Carnegie Medal at what has been dubbed Melinda Wilms Day in her hometown of Salem, her focus remained on the boy she rescued from drowning on July 29, 2019 at Mosquito Lake in Cortland. She still thinks of him and says that she hopes he will have a good life.
That’s what she wants for everyone – kindness, respect and selflessness – for people to take care of each other.
From left to right, Carnegie Hero Fund Commission Chairman and Secretary Eric Zahren, Salem resident Melinda Wilms, Sixth District U.S. Representative Bill Johnson, and Salem Mayor John Berlin pose for a photo with the Carnegie Medal awarded to Wilms as one of the commission’s newest heroes. The medal ceremony was held at Salem Town Hall with family and friends. (Photo from Salem News by Mary Ann Greier)
According to Carnegie Hero Fund Chairman and Commission Secretary Eric Zahren, this is the definition of a hero.
He has personally awarded the Carnegie Medal to heroes of all walks of life, races and origins for several years now.
“What they have in common is that they made this moral choice”, he said.
The Carnegie Medal is not a life-saving award or an award for his entire career, he said. The stories of the heroes, many of whom died trying to save an alien, are all life and death situations.
He said it’s the best and the worst and puts everyone involved in a difficult position. He said it requires a very important choice that affects lives.
Mayor John Berlin smiles as he declares Melinda Wilms Day on Monday after presenting a city proclamation to Salem resident Melinda Wilms to honor her selfless efforts to help a drowning boy two years ago. (Photo from Salem News by Mary Ann Greier)
“We honor and recognize the moral choice made by the rescuer”, Zahren said.
The commission only awards awards to 10 percent of nominees, and of those honored as Carnegie’s heroes, 20 percent are recognized posthumously.
Zahren traveled to Salem to present the Carnegie Medal to Wilms in front of family and friends, including parents Virginia and Melvin Wilms, sisters Gert Wilms and Tricia Jackson, nephews Tyson Jackson, 11, and Tegan Jackson, 9 years old, and her best friend Carol. Promontory.
Wilms was with his sister Tricia and nephews on this tragic day by the lake where several children were playing with a soccer ball and a 12 year old boy who chased the ball into deeper water began to struggle.
Christine Beheler, a stay-at-home mom from Niles, had brought the children to the lake and swam up to the boy, who panicked and overwhelmed her as she tried to help him. Mark Krempasky, a police sergeant, and Wilms both responded and Wilms was able to extend a pool noodle to the boy and talk to him, towing him to shore. Krempasky tried to help Beheler, who perished. Both Beheler and Krempasky were honored as Carnegie’s hero for their efforts that day.
Melinda Wilms of Salem listens as U.S. Representative for the Sixth District Bill Johnson reads from a U.S. House of Representatives proclamation honoring the Carnegie Medal winner for her heroism. (Photo from Salem News by Mary Ann Greier)
“I am grateful that we are here. My sister responded very quickly. said Tricia.
Asked about the price, she said “This is incredible. Very deserving.
Virginia and Melvin said they were also very proud.
The back of the medal includes the recipient’s name, a brief description of what he did and the date of the life-changing event, as well as a quote from John 15:13 that says: man gives his life for his friends. Pittsburgh philanthropist Andrew Carnegie launched the Hero’s Award in 1904 after a mining disaster, to recognize everyday heroes, people who don’t have to run headlong into danger, but still do, risking their lives for strangers.
Sixth District U.S. Representative Bill Johnson attended the ceremony and presented a proclamation from the U.S. House of Representatives, telling Wilms “your character serves as an example for many.”
Carnegie Hero Melinda Wilms, seated center, is surrounded by family members after the Carnegie Medal Ceremony Monday at Salem Town Hall. Besides her parents, Virginia and Melvin Wilms, seated with her, other family members include on the back left, her sister Gert Wilms, her nephew Tyson Jackson, 11, sister Tricia Jackson and nephew Tegan Jackson, 9 years old. (Photo Salem News by Mary Ann Greier)
Johnson explained how certain events in our life stand out and that for Melinda, the day at the lake will be something she will remember for the rest of her life. He said it takes a special person to be in total disregard for the way she did it.
“Today we honor a true local hero”, he said.
Salem Mayor John Berlin also read a proclamation declaring Melinda Wilms Day Monday, noting that she is a product of Salem, a Salem High School graduate who served as a lifeguard at Centennial Pool and also while in college.
“After several years living outside the state, we are very happy to find her at home in Salem”, he said.
Wilms is a special education teacher and intervention specialist with schools in the city of Akron. In fact, she skipped the first day back to school for the teachers to receive the award.
When the students return to school, she will have something special to show and tell. She is also receiving a monetary award as part of this honor, which she said earlier this year that she would donate.
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