Back in 2017, Eric Valentine was volunteering with an eastern Oregon Boy Scout troop when they came across a group of rafters in need of assistance. Then earlier this month, nearly six years after that day, the tables were turned when the 80-year-old retired judge and former Scoutmaster was badly injured while out hiking and a scout troop came to his rescue.
While hiking and photographing Hells Canyon in Northeastern Oregon, Valentine slipped and fell 60 feet, sustaining significant injuries. Fortunately, someone spotted him struggling and alerted Eagle's Boy Scout Troop 77 who were canoeing nearby. One of those scouts was a child who had been rescued years earlier. He and his troop stabelized Eric and contacted emergency services.
Earlier this week, Scout Troop 77 visited Valentine in his hospital room where he’s recovering from surgery. During the half-hour visit, Valentine said “I asked God to send angels,” he says, “He sent me the Boy Scouts.”
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