Category: Hero Stories

Marine Corps Scout Sniper, Sgt. Danny McDonald, distinguished himself through a heroic act that saved a 10-year-old boy from drowning. On May 4th, 2019, McDonald’s attention was drawn to screams from a crowd at Surf City Beach, NC witnessing a boy caught in a rip current over 100 yards out. Without hesitation, he dove into the water, reaching the boy who was not only battling the current but also having a seizure.

With the boy secured and his head above water, Sgt. McDonald battled the rip current back to shore. He provided critical aid alongside a Navy Corpsman until further help arrived.

For his valor, Sgt. McDonald received the Navy Marine Corps Medal, the highest non-combat heroism award. His selfless action, encapsulated by the ethos “If not me, then who?” underscores the exceptional courage and the spirit of service defining true heroism. We toast to you, Danny.

Dale Schroeder, a carpenter from Iowa, surprised everyone with his secret $3 million fortune amassed over 67 years of frugality.

Before passing, Dale had a wish: send small-town Iowan kids to college, a chance he never had. Among the 33 beneficiaries was Kira Conard, who dreamed of becoming a therapist but faced financial hurdles.

Dale’s generosity transformed lives, creating a legacy of doctors, teachers, and therapists. His only request? “All I ask is that you pay it forward,” embodying a spirit of generosity and community support.

People like Dale are what keep this country running, and in his honor and memory, we raise a toast to the lessons learned from Dale.

Teachers not only educate but also shape futures and inspire greatness. And often, it extends beyond the classroom.

Eddie McCarthy went above and beyond when one of his students, Roman McCormick, was in desperate need of a kidney transplant.

After a blood test confirmed McCarthy was a match, he chose to donate one of his kidneys to the young man.

Eddie’s heroic actions remind us that teachers do more than educate. They nurture, support, and have the potential to change our lives.

Last month, a fire started raging through a six-story apartment building in Harlem. The blaze began on the third floor and almost immediately filled the hallways, blocking access to stairwells. Firefighters, unable to reach the trapped occupants, deployed a rescue technique known as “the life-saving rope evolution.”

“Our members attach themselves to a rope, and then another member goes on to the rope and goes off the side of the building, goes down to the window, and grabs the person that is trapped by the fire,” said FDNY Chief of Operations John Hodgens. “This happened three times at this fire. Three firefighters performed this evolution. We usually have one of these a year or two. This was three-at-one fire, a very heroic action,” Hodgens added.

Because an active inferno is a bad time to attempt something you’re not familiar with, firefighter Jason Lopez and his team practice the maneuver every Monday and Tuesday.

Cheers to Jason and his teammates, who insist on the highest level of preparation when lives are on the line.

In the midst of the Lahaina wildfire’s fury, Maui firefighter Tanner Mosher emerged as a beacon of heroism. Faced with the town’s rapid consumption by the flames, Mosher charged into the blaze. His mission was clear: save as many lives as possible. With smoke blurring his vision and heat threatening his safety, Mosher’s actions transcended the call of duty, reflecting a profound commitment to his community.

Guided by a fallen friend’s belief in the importance of courage and compassion during a crisis, Mosher made critical, life-saving decisions under pressure. As he ventured into burning structures to rescue those trapped, each act of bravery became a tribute to his friend’s enduring influence.

As Lahaina faced one of its most severe trials, Mosher’s leadership and valor stood out, inspiring his team and offering hope to a beleaguered community.

In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re honored to introduce you to Margaret Hamilton, the former head of MIT’s Software Engineering Department. Margaret developed the onboard flight software for NASA’s Apollo Program that led to the successful lunar landing in 1969.

It’s safe to say that without her guidance and brilliance, Neil Armstrong may never have spoke, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

On November 22, 2016, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her work, and later she was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame. Margaret paved the way for women to enter and succeed in historically male-dominated STEM fields.

Today, we raise a glass to Margaret and her fellow groundbreaking sisters at NASA who have helped American girls shoot for the moon.

On Dec. 20, 2008, Lt. Col. Richard Lowe, a 12th Flying Training Wing instructor pilot and also a pilot for Continental Airlines was deadheading (aircrew who are flying on but not operating the aircraft) on CO Flight 1404 from Denver to Houston.

When the plane veered off the runway during takeoff and crashed, the cabin was engulfed in flames and fuel fumes. Amidst the ensuing chaos, Lowe, an experienced flight instructor with the 340th Reserves, remained composed. He worked alongside flight attendants to evacuate passengers, bravely re-entering the burning plane multiple times to ensure no one was left behind.

For his valor, Lt. Col. Lowe was awarded the Airman’s Medal – the highest non-combat honor bestowed by the Air Force. Despite his claim that he did nothing beyond what anyone else would do, his actions speak volumes of his character and leadership. Lowe’s willingness to risk his own life for the safety of the passengers highlights his exceptional bravery and dedication.

During the medal presentation, Maj. Gen. Frank Padilla, 10th Air Force commander, commended Col. Lowe on being, “an ordinary guy, doing an extraordinary deed.”

Louisville school bus driver Larry Farrish Jr. noticed a sad 1st grader on his morning route. 6-year-old Levi Carrier didn’t have pajamas for Pajama Day. As Farrish Jr. closed the bus doors, he watched as Levi slid into a seat away from his friends.

After Farrish Jr. finished up his morning routes, he headed to the store and purchased two pairs of PJs for Levi. “You were hurting this morning, you were crying, so I got you these pajamas,” Farrish Jr. recalls telling Levi. “He was so excited — you should’ve seen how his face lit up.”

“I can tell Mr. Larry is nice and his heart is filled with joy,” Levi said in a news release. “When he got me the pajamas, I did a happy cry.”.

Mr. Larry, as the kids call him, turned Levi’s whole day around. “No child should have to miss out on something as small as pajama day,” the bus driver said.

Levi isn’t the only Mr. Larry fan. “Larry is the absolute best and kiddos know they are in great, caring, capable hands with him!” one parent commented.

When a California assisted living home was unexpectedly shut down for numerous violations, sixteen elderly disabled residents were left behind with no place to go and no one to care for them.

Maurice Rowland and Miguel Alvarez, the center’s cook and janitor, chose to stay while other staffers walked away. They spent several days without pay caring for the residents until the fire department and sheriff took over.

The incident led to legislation in California known as the Residential Care for the Elderly Reform Act.

“My parents, when they were younger, they left me abandoned,” Alvarez said. “Knowing how they are going to feel, I didn’t want them to go through that. “If we left, they wouldn’t have nobody. “

Eugene Petrucci, mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service and retired U.S. Army Captain, was hailed a Hero by the Postmaster General after saving three dogs from a burning house.

Petrucci was on his rural mail route in the Furlong section of Buckingham Township when a neighbor rushed to his truck, saying a house was on fire.

He saw smoke was coming from the attached garage of the home, without thinking about it, he started pounding on the front door and windows but no one was home. By then, the smoke was turning to fire. The former paratrooper forced his shoulder onto the door and was able to open it as two dogs came barreling out, Petrucci spotted a third dog but it was too frightened and retreated further inside.

Remembering he had dog treats in his delivery truck, he attempt to lure the third dog out with them, but wasn’t successful. The garage was now engulfed in flames. Arriving shortly afterward, firefighters were able to rescue the black Labrador named Lola, and bring the fire under control.

Petrucci acknowledged that his military training paid a role in his actions, “I’m sure of it. Airborne school and being a paratrooper teach you to ignore your fears and do what you need to do. You don’t panic.”