Log College Student Earns Young Hero Award

Drop 12-year-old Luke Sliwinski in the middle of an 8-mile race through mud, slop and barbed wire, carrying an American flag through the entire course, and he will feel right at home. 

Shine a spotlight on Luke and surround him with applause, and he'll be looking for the nearest exit. That was clearly the case when the National Liberty Museum honored Luke and 13 other students in the Philadelphia region at its annual Young Heroes Award ceremony.

"He was definitely out of his element up on that stage," said Heather Sliwinski, his mother. "Luke does not consider himself a hero. He wants all that attention focused on his heroes, the military veterans."

A sergeant with the Liberty Young Marines, headquartered at the Willow Grove Naval base, Sliwinski has dedicated his free time to promoting and supporting the needs of veteran and currently serving and wounded military members.

His Facebook page, Honor, Courage, Commitment, has more than 18,000 fans and counting. He has created a personal donation site for Operation Enduring Warrior, an organization that assists wounded members of United States armed service with their physical, emotional and mental rehabilitation.

A student at Log College, Luke also represents Operation Enduring Warrior as a community athlete, participating in 5Ks and marathons while carrying an American flag the entire race.

"He does that to honor the soldiers who are wounded and can't run the races themselves," says Heather. 

On August 24, Luke will hit the mud in Wintergreen, Va., as part of the Super Spartan obstacle race. Runners face eight to nine miles of walls, hurdles, mud pits and more in a grueling test of athleticism (some highlights from last year).

The National Liberty Museum, located at Third and Chestnut St. in Philadelphia, uses the TD Bank-sponsored Young Heroes Award to recognize and reward young people who have championed liberty through civic engagement, conflict resolution, promoting diversity and school or community leadership.

All winners receive a certificate of recognition, medallion and gifts; and a plaque featuring their story in the Museum’s Young Heroes Exhibit. Each child is selected through a nomination process that includes an application and essay prepared by a third party.

Luke's mom, Heather, was surprised when she received a text message from Karen Saboe-Mcnear at 2 in the morning a few months ago. A Blue Star mother of two sons serving in the army, Saboe-Mcnear had attended several rallies and fundraisers and seen Luke in action.

"She wanted to nominate Luke for the award, but the application was due before the morning," said Heather. "Luckily I was already up because my husband snores."

In the letter to the National Liberty Museum, Mcnear writes, "This young man gives of himself and never asks for reward or recognition in return. He, to me, is a true American hero that shows that someone his age can and has made a difference in the lives of those that he has touched."

Luke will be a part of the Young Heroes exhibit at the National Liberty Museum for the next year. The museum is located at 321 Chestnut St., Philadelphia. Hours: Tues.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun. noon-6 p.m. Admission: Adults $7, Seniors $6, Students $5, Children ages 5-17 with an adult $2, children under 5 free, Family admission, including two adults and all their children $15. For more information, call (215) 925-2800.