Goal #21 - This is long but worth reading. It's a cool story.

(In keeping with Goal #20)
Goal #21: Get back in touch with the man who's life I saved a few years ago.

Picture it, Worcester, 2006. (for all you fans of Sophia from Golden Girls, a smile just spread across your face.) A young photographer (that's me) is part of a team of 4 photographers selected to take pictures at a historic event taking place at Mechanics Hall in Worcester, MA. The event is to honor those men and women in our military and specifically those that fought in the Korean War. The entire hall is filled with people; Gold Star families trading stories about their loved ones lost, Blue Star families holding each other up as mothers hang on to hope while they await their children's return from Iraq, Ex-POWs enjoying a relaxing lunch and each other's company, being so grateful they were not forgotten. Throughout the day, we are visited by General Peter Pace, Senator Ted Kennedy, and even Ed McMahon. So, there I was, in a room, surrounded by Ex-POWs, listening to their stories, capturing photos of these men sharing their stories with friends and strangers alike.

From behind me, I hear, "Oh my God! Somebody help!". I turn around to see a man, the color of a blueberry, choking, and his wife slapping him on the back. My immediate thoughts: "he's choking! Please, God, let someone come and help! No one's coming! I should do something!". I put my camera down on the table, go over to him, stretch my arms around him and begin the Heimlich. More thoughts "My arms aren't long enough...find his belly button...ahh, there it is....remember your training...I'm never going to be able to do this hard enough!...Where are the medics!!?!". Amazingly enough, after 5 or 6 times of inward-upward, he coughs up the object (i'll spare you the details of that), falls back into his chair, and is quickly attended to by the medics, (who's timing was NOT impeccable). He was fine. The hostess of the room comes over, hugs me and thanks me, and exclaims "You're shaking!" to which I reply "That was scary!". She asked if I had done that before, to which I replied "Yeah...on a mannequin!". Praises and thanks from his wife and eventually from him, and the lunch continues. Sometime later, I'm approached by General Pace who seemed to be about 7 ft tall. "Young lady!?" "Yes...sir?" (I thought I had done something I shouldn't have and was in trouble. I didn't know he was in the room when all this happened) "I saw what you did for that man. OUTSTANDING! How about a picture?" So, the other photographer came and took the picture, and for the rest of the day I was greeted with "Hey. You're the girl! You're the girl that saved that guy!". "Yes, yes I am".

Ok, so all of that is the background. Why are these people on my list? Well, because for every holiday after that, I received a card from this couple. And I do mean every holiday...Christmas and Thanksgiving, Easter, 4th of July, New Year's, and even St. Patty's day. We talked a few times after the incident, including one conversation where his wife told me "John told me that's the closest to death he's ever been", to which I replied "Well, he managed to survive being a POW, I wasn't about to let him choke to death on his roast beef!".

Eventually the cards and calls stopped, so that's why I set this goal. I have their number and I want to reconnect with them. This man might owe me his life for that day, but I owe him mine for fighting for my freedom and he deserves my attention and respect.