Wood County's Brant Freeland

Congressman David McKinley
Congressional Record: 114th Congress
July 21, 2015

(Mr. McKINLEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)

Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Speaker, it is the most trying times that bring out the best in people. West Virginia has faced high water and floods over the past few weeks. Recently there was an act of heroism in Wood County that deserves recognition on the House floor.

On their way home on Sunday, 15-year-old Brant Freeland and his mother pulled over to wait out high water blocking the road. Brant noticed a car caught in the rising water ahead of him. Not thinking twice, Brant bolted from his car to see if someone was inside.

There he found 69-year-old Connie Boggs trapped inside with the water rising. He wrenched open the door and got her to safety.

Connie said, ``If it wasn't for Brant, I would more than likely have drowned.''

For his part, Brant said the last thing on his mind when he entered the water was being a hero. ``I was just worried about saving that lady's life. That is all.''

Brant did more than that. He showed us the kind of courage that is too often missing these days.