Name of Hero: Melissa M. Pridgen

Hero City: Jacksonville, AR

Submitted by: Deborah

May 24, 2012 My Hero…..by Deborah Rossi

My daughter joined the Air Force right out of High School, imagine that! My daughter the night owl – I still remember telling her “Um hon, you do know that they get up at the crack of dawn, hello”. She is and forever will be the light of my life!

Dasia 5 and Gino 3 are raised with an iron fist but also with unbelievable amounts of TLC. And, as if my daughter doesn’t have enough on her plate, she continues her education in the hopes of securing her degree in psychology to help military families out in their time of need.

Blessed with an angel’s voice she also donates her time to singing the National Anthem for American Legions, Military functions, Retirements and; actually to anyone else that asks her to do so – her heart as big as the sacrifices she makes every day keeping our country safe. I could never, in a million lifetimes be more proud.

Melissa has also had to face adversity although she also has many accomplishments. A few years back she learned that she was being deployed to Quattar. Unlike previous deployments assigned, this particular deployment was like a dagger through her heart tugging at her mom heart strings and there was no way that pain was ever going to subside. No, this deployment meant she would be unable to be home for Gino’s 1st birthday, and his first Christmas. In addition to that, there was the heartbreak of also being away from Dasia. I was sure this deployment would do nothing more but crush her. Yet, somehow she found the courage and the strength to successfully complete her TDY – unbelievable and quite remarkable as I say proudly – Yes, this is my daughter Melissa!!

Melissa has dedicated 15+ years to the USAF giving herself unconditionally to all that enter and yes, even the ones that will be entering, into her life. I have no doubt that every life she touches her warmth, love and understanding will never be easily forgotten. She is genuine, compassionate, and loyal to all that have the pleasure of knowing her and I wholeheartedly believe that it is the AF that is very lucky to have her!!

So yes, I am quite thankful (and blessed) to have and be a part of, Melissa, Dasia, and Gino for they shine brighter than any star I have seen thus far!!

Deborah Rossi proud mother of Melissa M. Pridgen, TSgt, USAF,Executive Assistant 314th Airlift Wing Command Chief Knowledge Operations, Little Rock AFB 72099

Hero City: Small Town in Arkansas

Submitted by: Rusty

A small town Volunteer Fire Dept with only 12 people. I’m watching out my bedroom window waiting for my uncle to come in from a fishing trip from Missouri. My fire radio starts sounding. Our Firefighters got a call to go out to a 1 MVA (Motor Vehicle Accident) I hope in my truck and head to the scene. I look in the bottom of the ravine. There was my uncle car. Me and other firefighters looked the situation over he was trapped. We got the jaws from our rescue vehicle and we cut the door open and got him out. While we was pulling him back to the highway I heard my fire chiefs wife over the radio telling dispatch we got the patient out of the car. I dont know bout you guys but that really made me feel like a hero.

 

Name of Hero: Voluntary Firefighters Wolfratshausen

Hero City: Wolfratshausen, Germany

Submitted by: Florian Heiligensetzer

First I’m a Firefighter, too, so I was for four years member of the Fire Brigade in Wolfratshausen. I had much of training and some serious situations there.
But the other firefighters looked after me, so I felt allways safe.

 

So I want to say thank you to the firefighters of Wolfratshausen in Bavaria.

Name of Hero: DELTA VOLUNTEER

Hero City: Tacloban City

Submitted by: Ronald Madera

DELTA Volunteer is composed of volunteer firefighters and medical first responders in the City of Tacloban, Philippines. It is an organization who had been in service to the community for almost five years. Its equipment of donated by few generous individuals. Standard trainings and drills are observed by the group. Its members do not receive any single cent from the organization. They does it with the real meaning of a volunteers. Its volunteers are professionals such as teacher, accountant, police. Likewise, there are also students. The association is on operation for 24/7. They do the job for love of service. Call them and they for sure there they will be where they need. They stand by its motto: “We’re there when needed because every second counts”. They continue to strive for more equipment despite of its limited resources. However, despite of its limited resources, it is the most often called responder. Many lives had been saved, many properties had bee saved too.

My salute to all the volunteer fire fighters and medical first responders.

Mabuhay!