HEROS

I am not sure how a dictionary defines HERO. I suppose I could look it up. However, as a result of my chosen profession, I have a personal working definition of HERO. 

There are two elements to my understanding of the word. First, to me, a hero is a person who runs TOWARDS trouble, when everyone else is running away.

Second, a hero, once identified, will ALWAYS say that they are not, and that they were just doing their job, or just doing what anyone else would have done.

I have some experience with HEROS. It is and has been my extreme honor to know some HEROS. It is my great privilege to have worked with, and for, some HEROS and it is my personal blessing to call some HEROS friend, brother, or sister.

On Friday, 28 Feb. 2014, my daughter Katie Choate fell to the floor at her work, while experiencing a pulmonary thrombosis which ultimately killed her.

Instantly, two people ran to her and immediately assessed her situation, and began administering emergency CPR to her.

 They did not panic, they did not flinch, neither did they complain or wait on someone else to get involved. They continued this heroic effort until EMS arrived, and ONLY then did they stop.They did what heroes do, they ran towards trouble.

Most importantly to me, they did for my daughter what I could not do. For that, I am forever grateful to them and humbled by them.

 I will never be able to repay the debt I owe these two HEROS. I hope one day to meet them, and tell them thank you for helping my daughter.

 Even though there was no recovery for Katie, these two demonstrated exactly what I believe is the definition of HERO.

Thank you seems so weak and insufficient for such heroic actions, but thank you is all I have.

Mr. Paul Grey and Ms. Elisabeth Kennedy. HEROS to a humble and grateful dad.

If any of you know these two, or work at Wordsworth where these HEROS are employed, please pass along my sentiments to them. I intend to find them and thank them when the Philadelphia memorial happens for Katie.