Brave Sarah Ellingwood may only be eight, but she wasn't too young to save a life. While enjoying a day at the lake with family and friends, she noticed a child in the water. She put on her life jacket and jumped in. According to Sarah, "'He (the toddler) came back up, and then
he went back down. At first, I thought he was one of the bigger kids.
But something told me to go closer to see what it was.'" She found toddler Avery in the water, calling for his dad. Sarah pulled Avery to shore, and returned him to his grateful father.
Avery's dad had one of those terrifying parent moments: one minute your child is right next to you, and the next you don't see him anywhere. But thanks to Sarah, everything turned out okay. And by the way, Sarah says she isn't even much of a swimmer. Her dad, Senior Master Sergeant Darren Ellingwood had proud words for his daughter.
"'She does better than she claims to do,' Sergeant Ellingwood said. 'She
can dog paddle pretty good. She is just a big-hearted kid who normally
does the right thing. It was pure instinct (for her) and the desire to
help someone in need.'" Somebody give that little girl a hug and a medal.
