April 17, 2008

One of our own

       White River Township Fire Department Cadet Tyler Derringer was recently called upon to utilize some of his newly-acquired EMT skills while serving in the military in Iraq.  One day while on patrol, the vehicle in front of his hit an anti-truck mine in the middle of the road.  As a result, three soldiers were badly injured. Tyler, without concern for his own safety, jumped out and tended to their wounds and loaded them into his armored vehicle while calling for a medical helicopter.  He met them at the landing zone before any medics arrived.  “The guys are calling me a HERO” he says. “I’m not a hero, I’m just doing my job”, he added.  His commander is putting him in for a Bronze Star with Valor for his heroic efforts. The Bronze Star is the 4^th highest military medal.  “It’s a big deal but again I’m just doing my job”, Tyler continued.  “It’s been a hectic week here but I'm getting through it.  The guys in my unit say they're happy and feel more comfortable knowing there’s an EMT with them; they treat me like one of the medics”, he says.  Story by James Meacham  
 
    

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