Wednesday, August 31, 2011

** UK paramedic already awarded for bravery now vying to be Olympic torch bearer

** US Army medic from Kentucky posthumously awarded Silver Star for bravery

UNITED KINGDOM NEWS

** A Bexhill paramedic, who was recognized for bravery for saving a 73-year-old pensioner from a house fire, could also become an 2012 Olympic torch bearer. That is the word from the Hastings Observer (August 28) which said Jeanette Yeoell has a one in 14 chance of reaching her goal. According to the newspaper, Yeoell is now one of 28,000 candidates vying for the honour. If selected, she will be one of 8,000. A marathon runner, she is the recipient of a Royal Humane Society Testimonial and a Mayor’s Award for Bravery. Successful torch bearer candidates will be notified in December.

UNITED STATES NEWS

** A Fort Campbell, Kentucky army medic was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for bravery at a special ceremony Thursday. The Army Times (Philip Grey/The Leaf Chronicle/August 26) said the family of Spc. Jordan Matthew Byrd, 19, was given the commendation for Byrd saving the life of a wounded soldier while under fire in Paktika Province, Afghanistan. According to the newspaper, Byrd traversed a bullet swept field before reaching his comrade and shielding him with his body as he tied off a tourniquet. He was then fatally wounded himself. The soldier being treated was medevaced out shortly afterwards and survived. Along with Army brass attending the ceremony honoring Byrd, members of the ambulance chopper crew also attended to pay tribute to Byrd’s bravery.