LEWISTON — Two men who pulled a trapped 8-year-old boy from an overturned truck moments before it exploded. A woman who has collected thousands of pints of blood in honor of her father. An 11-year-old who called 911 while his mother fought off an intruder, giving police enough details to catch the man later that day.
Those three, three other people and the crew of the USS Zumwalt are being honored Tuesday at the annual American Red Cross in Central and Mid Coast Maine “Real Heroes” breakfast at the Ramada Inn and Conference Center.
When faced with a challenge, these individuals responded with extraordinary courage, according to the Red Cross.
The 2016 Real Heroes recipients:
* Laura Benedict, The Red Barn Restaurant (Augusta), Real Heroes Event, Honorary Chair
For the past 39 years, the Red Barn Restaurant has given back to the community in many ways. Through dozens of fundraising campaigns and benefit events, the Red Barn has contributed thousands of dollars to local organizations and individuals and has brought many community members together to share in a sense of community in a “local chicken joint.” Hundreds of individuals have benefited from Benedict’s commitment to our local community.
* Laurie Rumpf (China), Real Heroes Blood Services Award
Every 56 days, the town of China holds a community-wide blood drive organized by Laurie Rumpf. After her father passed away in 2008, Rumpf wanted to do something to commemorate his life that would make a difference in the lives of others. During his illness, her dad had received numerous pints of blood and she vowed to “pay it back.” Her early effort consisted of eight family members and friends traveling down to Portland to give blood each year, but the effort has since grown to include the entire China community. Since 2009, Rumpf has collected thousands of pints of lifesaving blood and has donated blood herself. She even researches locations to give blood when she goes on vacation.
* June Casler (Brunswick), Real Heroes Workplace Safety Award
For the past 10 years, June Casler has served as a lead server/shift leader at The Highlands, a residential retirement community for seniors in Topsham. In her role, Casler interacts with just about everyone in the facility and is adored by its residents. On three separate occasions, she’s successfully performed abdominal thrusts (formerly called the Heimlich maneuver) on residents. Her ability to remain calm and her emergency response training has saved the lives of three individuals. One gentleman calls her his “lifesaver” every time he passes by, accompanied by a big hug.
* Ethan Reno (Bath), Real Heroes Youth Award
When 11-year-old Ethan Reno and his mother returned home, they found an intruder hiding in their shower. The intruder fled the home after having an altercation with Ethan’s mother, but while this was going on Ethan remained calm and called 911. Ethan gave the dispatcher information about the break-in, where they lived and provided detailed information about the intruder. His description provided the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s office and Bath Police Department with vital information to help them apprehend the perpetrator later that same day. After the incident, Bath Police Chief Michael Field said, “Ethan’s courage and composure under pressure was extraordinary and should be lauded as a shining example of how citizens can help us fight crime. He is a young man, mature beyond his years.”
* Trevor Hanna (Oakland) and John Dow (Eliot), Real Heroes Life Saving Award
When Trevor Hanna saw a burning pickup truck in a ditch on Route 27 in Sidney one Sunday afternoon, he ran to help. Upon arriving on the scene, Hanna immediately saw an 8-year-old boy in the back seat of a vehicle that was on its roof. “We are going to get you out,” yelled Hanna as he grabbed his multi-tool Leatherman from his belt to free the boy. He cut the seat belt and he and another Good Samaritan, John Dow, pulled the boy out of the vehicle through the window seconds before the burning truck exploded. Their heroism, courage and bravery saved the life of an 8-year old boy.
* Crew of the USS Zumwalt DDG-1000 (Bath), Real Heroes Rescue at Sea Award
On its first sea trials off the coast of Maine, the crew of the USS Zumwalt could never have anticipated being called to assist in the rescue of a local fishing boat captain. At 2 a.m., the Coast Guard received a distress call from a fishing vessel: Its captain was suffering chest pains and needed emergency medical services. The Coast Guard helicopter that responded to the distress call determined that it was unsafe to hoist the victim from the fishing boat, so the USS Zumwalt, which was in the area, sent a small boat and crew out to the scene. After transferring the fisherman to the destroyer, the man was safely hoisted into the helicopter and taken to Portland for further medical services.
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