Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – A number of selfless and courageous individuals were the toast of the town at the 11th annual Real Heroes Breakfast held last Thursday at Northern Maine Community College. Hosted by the American Red Cross – Pine Tree Chapter, WAGM-TV 8/Fox 8 and NMCC, the concept for the Real Heroes Breakfast has grown out of a desire to develop an event that is closely related to the mission of the American Red Cross – teaching people how to save lives.
“The Red Cross provides relief to victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies,” said Joyce Knorr, Aroostook County branch manager of the American Red Cross. “This is done through the simple, yet powerful process of one person putting their needs aside to help another. Across the nation, over 1 million Red Cross volunteers do this each day.
“What better way to celebrate this spirit of humanitarianism than by honoring those individuals who have shown courage, kindness, and unselfish character by their act of heroism in Aroostook County,” she said.
Former WAGM News Director Sue Bernard served as the event’s keynote speaker.
“I’m surprisingly nervous to be standing here in front of the hometown crowd without a prompter,” said Bernard, who now serves as the communications director of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland. “It’s great to be here. Any reason to come home is a good one, and today’s occasion is an especially good reason.”
Calling Aroostook County “fertile soil for heroes,” Bernard said the beauty of each honoree’s story was that they were each so very different.
“Young, old, female, male, neighbors, strangers … these stories allow us to identify with one or more of them,” she said, “and whenever we honor heroes, we often imagine ourselves in their position and we’re inspired because maybe, just maybe, the same special quality that we admire in them is alive in us.
“Some of these folks acted out of love, some out of duty, some compassion and others pure adrenaline, but the common thread in all these instances was that action was taken quickly and unselfishly, and never with the thought of getting recognition or thanks,” said Bernard. “But we are extremely thankful to each of you … not only for what you did to earn this award, but also for reminding the rest of us that, ‘Yes, we, too, can be heroes.’ If you wonder whether or not you have it in you or have the right stuff should the time ever come to be a real hero, please remember this, God doesn’t call the qualified, he qualifies the called.”
Recognized as 2009 Real Heroes were:
• Six-year-old Madelyn Buzza of Mapleton, who received the Clara Barton Award for her commitment to the American Red Cross and community.
Last summer, Buzza and her mom were discussing plans for her birthday in January 2009. She selected a theme of “Hello Kitty.” An idea of collecting supplies for shelter animals was mentioned. Buzza decided she would love to help the cats and dogs that didn’t have a home. When planning for her party, she sent her friends and family invitations asking for donations for the animal shelter, rather than bringing birthday gifts. Before her party, she shopped for the animals so she, too, could donate toys, food and cleaning supplies to the shelter. Buzza and her friends had a wonderful time at her birthday party; each child helped decorate paper to wrap a donation box and each signed his/her name. Party-goers were most generous by bringing items including bleach/laundry detergent, blankets, pet beds, kitty litter, food and treats. After her party, Buzza’s parents helped her load up their car and they delivered all the gifts to the local animal shelter.
• Kylie Daigle, Fort Kent/Madawaska, who received the Every Day Bravery Award for her compassionate act of heroism.
On Sept. 11, 2008, a tragic accident occurred involving a young mother who was hit crossing the street at a crosswalk by a driver of a SUV in Fort Kent. Traffic was very heavy due to the dismissal of local schools around the University of Maine at Fort Kent. A large crowd quickly gathered and stood in shock and silence along the sidewalks. In an instant, Daigle, a UMFK nursing student who was walking outside between classes, ran to the scene in the midst of the traffic without care or concern for her own safety. She provided immediate care to the unconscious and severely injured woman. When the Fort Kent police arrived, they thought the victim was dead, but Daigle was doing such a great job in helping to stabilize the woman, the police were able to focus on securing the traffic at the scene. Approximately 12 minutes went by before the emergency services unit arrived to transport the young woman to the hospital. Daigle was the first person the victim saw as she opened her eyes when the sounds of the emergency sirens stirred her back to consciousness.
• Robert DeFarges (Madawaska/Caribou), Don McCubbin (Glenburn), Kevin Mordasky (Stafford Springs, Conn.), Tom Stevens (East Holden) and Michael Murphy (Glenburn), who received the Neighborhood Friend Award for providing life-saving help in time of need.
During the morning hours of Jan. 16, 2008, Bob Marquis was getting his ice fishing equipment ready for the following day. As he attempted to start his snowmobile, the carburetor flooded several times. When it finally started, Marquis realized it had been left parked with the speed control jammed forward. Not wanting to hit the camp between his residence and the lake, Marquis remained on the runaway machine and attempted to steer it away from the building. With the throttle stuck, the machine went airborne after jumping a snowbank. The snowmobile hit the building and threw Marquis against it, wedging him into the building by the machine. The left side of his body was numb from head to toe and he was not wearing a helmet at the time. He realized he also had a deep gash in his leg and he needed immediate help. Marquis could hear voices on the lake and believed that his neighbor and friends may be fishing. He yelled his best for help to come. He could no longer hear voices, but continued to yell for help as he was becoming weaker and colder. After being in the snow for some time, Marquis heard the sound of a snowmobile in the distance.
Robert DeFarges and his friends had come in to camp for lunch and they heard Marquis’ cry for help. The fishermen immediately called 9-1-1. Not knowing the extent of Marquis’ injuries they did not move him, but covered him with blankets and stayed with him, reassuring him that help was on the way. A half-hour had passed since the 9-1-1 call was made. A second call to 9-1-1 was made and the fishermen continued to administer warm blankets as they guided the emergency unit into the campsite. Marquis was transported to Northern Maine Medical Center with a separated shoulder and a compound fracture of the left femur. He was then transferred to Eastern Maine Medical Center.
• Molly Marie White of Presque Isle, who received the Red Spirit Award for using American Red Cross training skills.
White went to visit a friend May 29, 2008. Her friend’s mother had just come home and realized her husband wasn’t breathing. White reacted quickly by calling 9-1-1 and then ran nextdoor to seek help; however the neighbors did not speak English so she ran back to her friend’s house. White performed CPR on her friend’s father, while communicating with the 9-1-1 operator until the ambulance arrived. White, her friend and family went to the hospital. She stayed with the family until the doctor came into the room to say that her friend’s father had passed away. White continued to stay with her friend and her family for the next two weeks.
• David Guiggey of Mars Hill, who received the Valor Award for performing a courageous act of heroism.
Theron Larkins was driving his girlfriend home in the family SUV Nov. 7, 2008. It was a dark, rainy and foggy evening around 10:30. He missed a turn because he could not see the arrow sign and drove into a deep pond. He tried to open the door, but could not since the water was entering the vehicle too fast. He tried to kick the windows open, but could not. David Guiggey had been standing outside the deck of a friend’s home and saw Larkins drive off the road. He ran to the site to help. Guiggey dove into the frigid water and was able to get the door of the SUV open and helped Larkins and his girlfriend out. If Guiggey had not seen the vehicle and reacted so quickly, the two occupants would likely have drowned.
• Devin Cray of Presque Isle, who received the Young Courage Award for performing a brave act of heroism at a young age.
At approximately 3:30 a.m. Sept. 17, 2008, 11-year-old Cray woke to flames in his Chapman Road bedroom. Coughing and with watery eyes, he ran through the flames to get his little sister up from her bedroom. Without hesitation, Cray continued to go downstairs to his parents’ bedroom to wake them. He was yelling as he came down the stairs to his mom and stepfather to alert them of the fire upstairs. The family reacted quickly and got out safely, but was in shock as they watched their home become engulfed in flames until the fire department arrived. Throughout the ordeal, Cray burned one of his feet and had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance.
• Aroostook County Emergency Management Agency, which received the Extra Mile Award for supporting the mission of the American Red Cross by ensuring Red Cross volunteers and staff are included in all disaster training exercises and have the appropriate tools and supplies that help prepare, prevent, and respond to disasters.
Over the past year, the Aroostook County Emergency Management Agency has provided continuous communication and support to their local American Red Cross services – financially, educationally, informatively, and especially individually. Extra miles were covered this past spring when Director Vernon Ouellette and his staff stayed in close contact with the Red Cross office in preparing for response of the 2008 flood. For example, when the Red Cross was working hard to encourage an elderly family with disabilities to evacuate their home in Wallagrass upon the onset of the flood – to no avail – the Red Cross contacted Ouellette. He drove from Van Buren to Wallagrass at 9 p.m. to speak with the family, which easily identified with Ouellette’s French-Canadian culture as he communicated the high risks in their own language. Ouellette contacted the Red Cross to secure safe shelter for the family and their needs.
Had it not been for Aroostook County Emergency Management Agency’s “extra mile” service, this family may have perished in the flood. This particular example is one of many the Aroostook County Emergency Management Agency demonstrated over the 2008 disaster period. This team – which includes Ouellette, Darren Woods and Joyce Findlen – works countless hours to ensure Aroostook County’s safety and security are in place.
Outstanding Community Humanitarian Recognitions were presented to:
• Frank Patene III of Connor Township, who risked his own life by donating one of his kidneys to his mother – saving her life.
• Isaac Ashby of Mapleton, who stayed calm under pressure when his school bus went off the road causing an accident with young students on board. Ashby’s mature thinking helped to keep the students calm and safe, out of traffic until help arrived.
• Brian Buck Jr. and Matthew Sullivan, both of Presque Isle. These young men rescued a friend from shallow, melted icy water after a snowmobile accident. They applied quick thinking by calling 9-1-1 and contacted family members on their cell phones. They kept the victim warm and safe until help arrived.
• Tiffany Martin of Presque Isle, who performed American Red Cross first aid skills on motorcycle accident victims until help arrived.
• Henry Akeley of Presque Isle, who pursued checking on a friend he was concerned about and discovered that his friend was injured. Akeley called for help and stayed with his friend until help arrived. He also ensured that a neighbor’s immediate health needs were met in a time of crisis.
• Glenn Heidorn of Caribou. A Time Warner Cable employee, Heidorn recognized the serious symptoms of a customer while working at his home. Heidorn used the ICE process (in case of emergency) on the customer’s cell phone and was able to contact a relative who knew the victim might have been having a diabetic seizure. Heidorn called 9-1-1 and stayed with the customer until help arrived.
Outstanding Community Service Recognitions were presented to:
• Dixie Shaw of Caribou. Shaw provided urgent support of food, water and housing supplies throughout the Aroostook County community and to the Emergency Management Agencies and the American Red Cross during the 2008 flood. Shaw did this while in the midst of moving her local agency – Catholic Charities of Maine, to a new location.
• Romeo Bouchard of Caribou. Bouchard provides countless hours of service to the Bread of Life Soup Kitchen in Caribou. He is always willing to do anything asked of him.
• Kevin Stubbs of Caribou. This physically challenged young man gives of himself to serve others at the Bread of Life Soup Kitchen in Caribou. He counts it a joy to be able to give back to his community.
• Alva King of Limestone, who provides superior support and guidance in her community and contributes to providing quality education in the Limestone school system.
• Vicki Page of Limestone, whose support for her Limestone community has enabled young girls to discover their potential in life. She works hard in helping these young ladies build self-esteem and move forward toward their dreams.
• Michelle Albert of Limestone, who is concerned for quality education in her Limestone community. Albert provides superior support and effort toward building a better tomorrow for our youth.
• Island Falls Emergency Management Agency and Fire/Ambulance Department. Under the leadership of Joshua McNally and Paul Breton, both agencies responded immediately at the first sign of trouble during the 2008 flood. They worked tirelessly day and night, making sure their community’s needs were met – such as housing, food, and clothing and made home rescues. They spent countless hours away from their families while helping those in need.
Also receiving Outstanding Community Service Recognitions were Staff Sgt. Gary Jandreau of Fort Kent, Patti and John Voisine, owners of John’s Country Store in St. Francis; and Father Jim Nadeau, Norma Jean Landry and the St. Louis Church community in Fort Kent.
