The American Red Cross 12th annual Real Heroes Breakfast on Nov. 13, opened with the ceremony of placing the Stars and Stripes and the Maine state flag on either side of the podium where three individuals and two couples were honored for their heroic efforts on behalf of others. The national and state flags were carried by the Maine State Honor Guard.
“We were impressed by the number and quality of the nominees,” WABI TV-5 news anchor Catherine Pegram, who along with WABI sportscaster Tim Throckmorton, was host for the event, told the crowd of several hundred at the Bangor Civic Center.
Recipients of Real Heroes Awards were Kristina MacKenzie of Brewer, Jamie Russell of LaGrange, Dennis and Donna Lee Brodeur of Millinocket, Elisabeth “Lily” Stevens of Lee, and James and Susan Braley of Franklin.
Award recipients were interviewed on videotape before the event. The footage was shown on two large screens during the ceremony.
Nurse Kristina MacKenzie was involved in a situation in which she was a victim, yet saved the lives of her aunt, her family and 20 residents of her apartment complex after carbon monoxide filtered into the building. Although she was dizzy, had an aching head and nausea, and was barely able to stand from the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning, she dialed 911 and summoned help. In the interview, MacKenzie said, “We came closer together as a family [as a result of the incident]. Live every day like it’s the last.”
Teacher and basketball coach Jamie Russell had stopped off at the LaGrange post office on his way to a soccer game when his neighbor Cindy Davis ran into the building to say that a man had fallen in the parking lot. Russell, who had first aid and CPR training, found the man bleeding from a cut on his head and not breathing. Russell grabbed clean socks from his gym bag to stanch the blood and applied CPR until the man responded. “I didn’t want it to end badly,” he said in the videotape interview. The man survived because of Russell’s efforts.
Retired teacher Dennis and Donna Lee Brodeur didn’t think twice when they learned that Robin Portwine, a high school guidance counselor and office employee, had lost her home to fire just before Christmas 2007. They offered their home to her to live in while they spent a few months with family in another state. “When you help someone, you get blessings in return,” Dennis said. “We got back more than we gave,” Donna Lee said.
Elisabeth “Lily” Stevens saved the life of her father, Mark Stevens Sr., after flames engulfed him — and her — and her father’s automotive shop when gasoline that had dripped from a car he was repairing ignited. She ran to the hose used for washing cars and doused her father to put out the flames. Then she ran, despite her melted shoes and charred pants, the 100 yards to the house to make sure her child was safe. She ran back to her father, then ran next door to her uncle’s to summon help.
“Cherish the small moments,” she said, “and hang onto what’s dear to you.”
James and Susan Braley witnessed the crash of an ultralight aircraft piloted by Kenny Tracy and his 8-year-old daughter, Kenzey. The plane went down in Taunton Bay about 400 yards off the Braley property. The couple used their boat to aid the Tracys. James dove into the murky water, located Kenzey and got her to the boat where Susan began CPR on the girl. James also dove for Kenny Tracy and pulled him free of the wreckage, but it was too late to save the man’s life. Kenzey was badly hurt but is now recovering.
The Braley’s said the experience has altered their lives. “Kenzey has a new aunt and uncle,” Susan said, meaning her and her husband. “We’ll be keeping an eye on her.” She wears a small jeweled “K,” a gift from Kenzey.
Fire Chief John Krapf Sr. of Springfield, who was unable to attend the event, was recognized as a nominee, though he was not chosen for a Real Hero Award, for his special act of humanitarianism. After firefighter Peter Beebe-Lawson was killed in an accident involving a fire department tanker truck in May, Krapf, whose wife is ill, took it upon himself to provide the Beebe-Lawson family with whatever they needed.
The Penobscot Job Corps Academy was the recipient of the inaugural Extra Mile Real Hero Award. Red Cross blood services staff said the Job Corps students assist blood donors when they donate blood and help with mobile blood collection drives in eastern and northern Maine. The students also have conducted blood drives on the academy campus, collecting more than 300 units of blood.