A salute to a young Marine

greener · Post by **greener** » Sat May 23, 2009 10:22 am

I was in one of those sudden stops with folks skidding on I95 yesterday. A biker was inadvertently hit came off the bike and bounced down the median divider fence like a rag doll. He was lucky he didn't bounce out into the left lane because I might have gone over him. He wasn't critically injured but had some heavy bleeding and obvious internal injuries. The kid behind me not only managed not to hit my truck but was faster on the 911 call than I was and was johnnie on the spot with helping me with the initial first aid. Overall he was a bigger asset than the first deputy on the scene and was a big help to the first EMS folks. He was surprised when I asked him how long he had been in the Corps until I told him the haircut and Navy decal on his windshield were big hints.

A very impressive 21-year-old young man. We should be glad we have those kids out there. I wish I had enough of my wits about me to get his name and unit. I'd like to write a letter of praise to his CO.

Post by **Bullseye** » Sat May 23, 2009 2:59 pm

That was good thinking on his part for rendering the first aid. If he didn't admit to being a marine, he could also have been a navy corpsman. They travel with the squads and have to adhere to the same grooming standards as marines when assigned to marine units.

You may be able to get his name from the accident report if you contact the PD. Your insurance company may also have his name and contact info, since he struck your vehicle. Just tell them your intentions about a letter to the CO. Co's love passing on that kind of recognition to the troops.

R,
Bullseye

bearandoldman · Post by **bearandoldman** » Sat May 23, 2009 3:24 pm

Bullseye wrote:That was good thinking on his part for rendering the first aid. If he didn't admit to being a marine, he could also have been a navy corpsman. They travel with the squads and have to adhere to the same grooming standards as marines when assigned to marine units.

You may be able to get his name from the accident report if you contact the PD. Your insurance company may also have his name and contact info, since he struck your vehicle. Just tell them your intentions about a letter to the CO. Co's love passing on that kind of recognition to the troops.

R,
Bullseye

My oldest grandson is a Navy Corpsman ans is presently on duty doing preliminary physical exams at a Marine recruiting office in San Diego. Old Marine friend of mine always told me they consider a Corpsman as one of their own.

greener · Post by **greener** » Sat May 23, 2009 4:11 pm

Unfortunately, no way to know his name. The biker was ahead of me and tangled with the car ahead of him. Officially, I'm only a witness and don't know the names of those involved. I don't think he was a corpsman, he said he had been in the Corps for 3 years.

The biker had a nasty cut on his arm (through leather). We went after that and then he checked for other injuries, calmed the driver of the car down from a big case of nerves, directed traffic, had the presence of mind to ask the biker if he needed to call anyone and then made the call, got the bike talking and explained the situation to his wife. When EMS was in control, he faded into the background.

I've written a number of commendation letters and this one would have written itself if I had the wits to get name and unit.

bearandoldman · Post by **bearandoldman** » Sat May 23, 2009 4:30 pm

greener wrote:Unfortunately, no way to know his name. The biker was ahead of me and tangled with the car ahead of him. Officially, I'm only a witness and don't know the names of those involved. I don't think he was a corpsman, he said he had been in the Corps for 3 years.

The biker had a nasty cut on his arm (through leather). We went after that and then he checked for other injuries, calmed the driver of the car down from a big case of nerves, directed traffic, had the presence of mind to ask the biker if he needed to call anyone and then made the call, got the bike talking and explained the situation to his wife. When EMS was in control, he faded into the background.

I've written a number of commendation letters and this one would have written itself if I had the wits to get name and unit.

Rob. in the heat of the action you cannot think of everything.

Post by **Bullseye** » Sat May 23, 2009 7:35 pm

I'd say he did a good job. Probably had some first aid training in the service. I seem to recall from back in the day the ABC's of First Aid. Airway, breathing, circulation was what they stood for, then prevent shock if possible. Keeping the victim talking and thinking about loved ones is a real good way to keep them from sending themselves into shock.

My mistake, I went back and reread you post. I thought you said he struck your vehicle but you said he managed to avoided it. Probably a marine from Quantico MCB.

R,
Bullseye