Michaël Perreault Giroux, M.B.
Medal of Bravery
On July 12, 2008, Michaël Perreault Giroux tried in vain to rescue his 16-year-old brother, who disappeared in the treacherous waters of the Rivière Rouge, in L'Annonciation, Quebec. The brothers had been playing with a boomerang in the river when the younger one became trapped in quicksand and sank deep below the water. Believing that his brother had been dragged further down the river, Mr. Perreault Giroux immediately swam out to reach him, but soon became caught in the dangerous current. For several minutes, he fought to keep from being pulled under while his lungs filled with water. Exhausted and nearly unconscious, Mr. Perreault Giroux was placed on an air mattress by a witness and was brought safely to shore. Others searched in vain for his brother who, sadly, did not survive.