The American Red Cross Mount Rainier Chapter announced today that it will honor 11 heroes at its 19th Annual Heroes Breakfast, scheduled for 7:30 to 9 a.m. Oct. 24 at the Hotel Murano Bicentennial Pavilion in Tacoma.
“Our annual Heroes Breakfast is an opportunity to recognize these very special individuals who personify the mission of the Red Cross and make Pierce County safe and strong,” said Tracy Peacock, Mount Rainier Chapter Executive. “This year’s heroes acted quickly and courageously to save a life, prevent tragedy or give of themselves for the greater good, regardless of personal risks.”
The annual breakfast raises critical funds to help support local Red Cross programs and services. MultiCare Health System and McFarland Cascade are this year’s leadership sponsors. Guests are asked to RSVP ahead of time to 206-709-4536.
2012 AMERICAN RED CROSS PIERCE COUNTY HEROES BREAKFAST AWARD RECIPIENTS:
Ranger Margaret Anderson, of Mount Rainier National Park will be honored with the Marvin Klegman Memorial Award for giving her life to protect and save the lives of park visitors from a dangerous shooter that fled into the park on New Year’s Day.
Ranger Nick Hall, of Mount Rainier National Park will also be honored with the Marvin Klegman Memorial Award for giving his life while helping to rescue four climbers who had fallen into a crevasse on Mount Rainier. The four climbers are safe and alive because of Hall’s courageous efforts.
Jeff Wyrwitzke, Bill Dixon, and David Elmer, Tacoma First Responders, will be honored with the Medical Rescue Award for giving life-saving medical assistance and emotional support to the victims of the Reno Air Show Crash. While this tragedy took many lives, the casualties were lessened by the assistance of these three men.
Matthew Fleming, a Tacoma Firefighter, will be honored with the Water Rescue Award for saving a stranded boater who was close to drowning in Commencement Bay after his boat capsized. The boater was rescued by Fleming who took him to shore where he received medical help.
Staff Sgt. Landon Jensen will be honored with the Military Hero Award for pulling a woman out of a burning car and taking her to safety after she crashed along a busy street in Tacoma. He also made sure other victims of the crash were okay and made sure everyone was safe.
Senior Airman Andrew Moser and Airman First Class Micah Myers will be honored with the Good Samaritan Award for responding to a pedestrian who fell to the ground after suffering a seizure. The two men rushed to his side, provided first aid and reassured him until paramedics arrived.
Madison, a 6-year-old American Dingo, will be awarded the Animal Rescue Award for protecting her owner Michaela Lee who was attacked by a pack of raccoons while she was coming home from a jog around Steilacoom Park.
8-year-old Samantha Kelley will be honored with the Isaac Mattich Star of Courage Award for quickly responding and performing abdominal thrusts on her friend who was choking on a tangerine during a play date. With Samantha’s help, her friend coughed up the piece of fruit and was able to breathe again.
The American Red Cross is a non-profit, humanitarian agency dedicated to helping make families and communities safer at home and around the world. To find out more information, visit www.redcross.org/tacoma,
