The report says Garey spent two months in hospital after the incident at Glacier High School, including weeks in intensive care. The lightning strike also injured another student and a coach, but Garey’s condition required prolonged treatment and rehabilitation.
He now lives in Nebraska and continues with daily physiotherapy, including agility work and exercises designed to strengthen the right side of his body. A return to football remains an ambition rather than a confirmed timetable, but his focus has stayed firmly on the next step.
Garey’s mother, Chelsey, said the lightning affected her son’s heart and nerves. His family remained close throughout the hospital stay, while medical and child-life staff helped support both Mason and his younger brother, Lincoln.
Dr Tim Stidham, who treated Garey, described the case in extraordinary terms during the ceremony.
“Eu cuidei de muitas crianças em estado crítico ao longo dos anos e esperei por mais milagres do que poderia contar. Com a sua família, foi a primeira vez que usei a palavra milagre ou milagroso”, Stidham said.
The report says Garey also recently took part in a public sporting moment by throwing the first pitch at a Glacier Range Riders game, another sign that he is gradually rebuilding confidence and routine.
The Hall of Heroes induction recognises survival, but it is not the finish line. For Garey, the more meaningful milestone will be returning to training with a team and eventually testing himself on the football field again.
The next chapter will be measured in small gains: another rehabilitation session, another training exercise and, perhaps, the first full football session since the accident.