Orien Family News

A couple of weeks ago Joseph called and asked me to make a copy of a DVD movie we have called, “Burning at Crooked Lake”. I had not watched it for quite a few years but as I made the copy and watched it again I was reminded of the occasion it depicts in the movie. It is a movie made for the TV series “Real Kids, Real Adventures” on the Discovery channel and has the sub title of “The Joseph Orien Story”. The TV show looks for instances where kids encounter adventures/troubles and how they handled it. They heard about the adventure/trouble that Joseph handled and asked if they could use the story to make a movie. He agreed and the movie was made and aired and has been in re-runs…and we have a copy of that movie. At the conclusion of the re-enactment by actors of this adventure the TV show has an interview with the real life hero (Joseph) so they invited he and I to travel to Toronto Canada for the filming. They took us around in a limo, put us up in a fancy hotel for four days and paid for everything and gave Joseph a wad of cash for having fun. It was quite an experience and we had a lot of fun.

In the course of the events that came out of this adventure I was asked to write exactly what happened from my point of view. I decided to post it here, not to embarrass Joseph because it will (sorry Joseph), but to once again say thanks to him for what he did that day. He was ten years old and he saved my life. I will never forget his bravery and what happened that day.

“On August 1, 1997, my son, Joseph, and I were at our remote cabin at Crooked Lake, Alaska. Crooked Lake is located about 1 ½ hour car ride north of Anchorage. The cabin is across the lake and accessible only by boat. Joseph and I were there alone for a day or two bonding and playing in the lake. We planned to meet up with the rest of the family at a ward campout later that day on the Kenai Peninsula.

“It was about noon. Joseph was in the cabin and I was outside trying to light some charcoal briquettes to cook hamburgers. I searched but couldn’t find the lighter fluid, so I poured some gasoline on the briquettes and threw a match on them. The fumes immediately lit and flashed back to the gasoline can, setting it on fire and creating a huge torch of fire coming from the gas can. The grill and the gas can were set right in the entry way of the cabin and fearing it would set the cabin on fire I tried to move the can with a shovel I saw sitting there. I was panicked and shaking and could hardly think. Unfortunately, I only succeeded in knocking the can over and spilling gasoline and flames all over the wooden entryway and the forest outside. I realized then we were in big trouble as the fire was blocking Joseph’s exit from the cabin. My panic increased as I tried again to remove the can from the area by lifting it with the shovel. In my haste I tripped and fell down spilling more gasoline that spread the fire quickly in the dry forest. I fell right into the flames setting myself on fire.

“Joseph, meanwhile, heard my screams, ran to the door, and saw the fire. By then its flames were very high with lots of black smoke so he was unable to get out of the cabin or see where I was outside. It was spreading quickly and was already a major problem. Joseph took immediate action. Using a 7-gallon water container that was inside the cabin, Joseph fought his way out of the cabin putting out the fire as he went. He then managed to put out all of the forest fire with the container as he filled and refilled it with water many times in the nearby lake. How he could even lift and carry that container filled with water is amazing. It was a remarkable feat for a small 10-year-old boy! He saw that I was on fire and got that fire out and somehow I managed to get to the lake as he worked. (I can’t recall getting to the lake. I hit my head when I fell and am not sure if I was dazed by the fall or just panicked and in shock.) The entire time Joseph remained calm, cool and collected. He never panicked but just did what needed to be done.

“While I cooled my burns in the lake, Joseph continued to work at putting out the fire and preparing to get me to the doctor by organizing our things. I knew my leg and arm were burned badly as the pain was severe. I knew I could not get out of this situation by myself and wondered how my ten-year-old son would be able to manage.

“Joseph and I had commented several times earlier in the day at how peaceful the lake was since there was no one else there besides ourselves. Our isolation suddenly became a huge detriment in needing to be rescued. As our cabin is accessible only by boat and then there is a 25 miles car ride to the nearest town of Wasilla, I couldn’t imagine Joseph being able to get me across the lake in the boat and then drive the Suburban into Wasilla. I didn’t know what to do except pray. And I did.

“Almost immediately we saw a boat go by across the lake. We couldn’t see who it was or where they went but I told Joseph he would have to go find them and get help. The only boat available was a small aluminum V-bottom boat with a pull start motor. Joseph had never driven it before alone, but he immediately agreed to go for help. With confidence and determination he got in the boat, managed to start it, and took off zig zagging across the lake. I was pretty scared for him. There was no weight in the front of the boat and consequently the front end was tipped high and he couldn’t see where he was going, but off he went weaving his way across the lake.

“Dusty, the family dog, took off swimming after Joseph, following him several hundred yards before turning back when Joseph disappeared around a bend in the lake. Dusty, a year old yellow lab, was normally not sedate and always on the prowl for little fishes and playing in the water. This time, however, he came back to the dock and sat down on the edge so he was beside me and licked my hand that was holding onto the dock. He stayed by my side until help arrived, obviously aware I was hurt and in need of help and trying his best to provide what comfort he could.

“After a short time Joseph came back having successfully found the owner of that boat we had seen. Joseph told me they would be coming to help shortly, and they did. It turned out to be Dave McCarrey and his son Jake, acquaintances from Anchorage and members of a neighboring ward, who had come to the lake for the day to work on a friend’s cabin. Dave and Jake immediately set to work getting us, our gear, and our boat across the lake and me to the hospital. Being members of the church, they were able to give me a much-needed priesthood blessing on the spot.

“It was determined that the burns I had were indeed serious 3rd degree (full thickness) burns covering my left arm and leg which required skin grafts. It was an incredibly painful ordeal and took several long years of recovery time for me but I am grateful to be alive and able to walk again. I am so grateful to Joseph for what he did. He risked his life and saved me, himself, the cabin, and the surrounding forest from a devastating fire. Had he not had the courage to do what needed to be done we would have lost all of that and ourselves. There is no doubt. He is a very brave and courageous little boy. He is my hero.”

In May 1998, Joseph received the highest award for lifesaving that the Boy Scouts of America gives. It is called the “Honor Medal With Crossed Palms”. It is given out rarely and has never been awarded before in the State of Alaska. The governor of the state of Alaska, Tony Knowles, presented Joseph with the medal at a special ceremony and luncheon attended by over 100 dignitaries, media, and invited friends, and relatives.