Park Ranger Honored for Heroic Rescue

Lexington, S.C. (WOLO) — At Saxe Gotha Elementary School the L.E.A.D. program is one way to teach students real life leadership skills. They certainly got that Friday morning in the person of Jared Gurtler, a U.S. Park Ranger lauded for rescuing a family lost in Congaree National Park in April. Law enforcement park ranger Jared Gurtler’s heroic story of rescuing a lost family of three in Congaree National Park last month made national news. But, Friday morning, he got what he says is even more meaningful, recognition and appreciation from his daughter’s school, Saxe Gotha Elementary in Lexington. “It was an honor. It felt very special. I was glad to share my story with the young kids,” said Gurtler. “We’ve recognized our parents who have shown leadership skills,” said principal, Beth Houck. ” There’s no better way to teach it to them than real life situations. You can’t get anymore real than this was.” Gurtler rescued a father and his two children after the family was trapped in the woods of Congaree National Park with no food, no water, no supplies for three days. He recalled the events of that daring discovery for some 300 kindergarten-through-second-graders at the school’s L.E.A.D. rally. The L.E.A.D. (Live responsibly; Engage respectfully; Act safely, Dream big) program is in its fourth year. Friday, Gurtler’s daughter, Ella, did the honors of presenting her father with a leadership award. “I was proud of him for doing that,” said Ella. His message of leadership is already sinking in.