It may be 24 after 9/11, but the American Legion Post 47 Sunday morning September 7th awarded medals of merit to Holliston’s unsung heroes. This ceremony is “something I wished every community would do,” lamented Rep. James Arena DeRosa. Local officials attended the gathering in upper town hall including Arena DeRosa, town manager Frank Gervasio, Veterans Service Officer Kathleen Lang, Lt. Alan Greendale represented the fire department and Lt. Todd Hagan the police department.
On June 26th Officer’s Alex Hulme, Christopher Mustard, and Guillermo Palencia were dispatched to Wingate Road for a report of an unconscious male who was not breathing. Using five rounds of CPR and using an AED (automated external defibrillator) the trio saved the man’s life. In yet another incident Officer Alex Keefe was cited and received the Medal of Merit for his efforts in saving a man’s life who had been involved in a motor vehicle accident and a tree that had fallen on the car at a Prentice Street location.
Paramedic’s Jamie Eastman and Ronda Matson along with Firefighter/EMT Michael Murphy and Ryan Sullivan attended to a patient who had been involved in a vehicle/motorcycle accident on Washington Street on October 23rd 2024. The man was flown via helicopter to UMASS in Worcester. The emergency responders were cited for their advanced life support and the positive outcome for this patient.
Naomi Kaplin, a 16 year old HHS student received a Certificate of Achievement from Legion Commander Martin Spellacy for her involvement in the Legion’s Youth Trooper Program this past summer.
Organizers for the morning event included Past Commander Steve Bradford, Legion Adjutant Walter McGrath. Commander Martin Spellacy, Chaplain Ron Turcotte, Vice Commander Eusebio Gonzalez, and bugler Joe Cibotti.
Thank you to the paramedics who have helped Holliston come into the same emergency service as neighboring towns. It is important to every resident in town.