Washington, DC-MD-VA-WV (1888PressRelease)
April 28, 2008 - Fourteen year-old District of Columbia resident, Geremiah Edness, was recognized today by DC Mayor Adrian M. Fenty for his role in saving the life of a Metro Rail rider who became unconscious in a train station early last month. 14 adults and 40 other male and female teenagers, ages 10 to 17, from DC and the surrounding Northern Virginia and Maryland counties were also recognized for their accomplishments during an afternoon outdoor ceremony held on the shore of the Anacostia River at the historic Washington Navy Yard.
William Walker III, representing Mayor Fenty, presented Edness, a member of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps Henry E. Mooberry Division, based at the Washington Navy Yard, with a Certificate of Merit for his “heroic act” and “service above self,” which helped save the life of a 28 year-old Landover, Maryland man on Monday, March 3, 2008 at the McPherson Square Metro train station.
Rear Admiral John B. Foley III, U.S. Navy (Retired), presented Edness with the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps’ Distinguished Service Ribbon, the Corps’ second highest award available to an individual, for “extraordinary service to the public, helping to preserve a human life,” for the same lifesaving action.
While other people gathered around, Edness used CPR training and the self-confidence he gained as a member of the Sea Cadets to take charge of the situation and help the man.
“I immediately thought to stay cool and told myself that I know what to do,” Edness said. Edness went through the procedures taught to him at Sea Cadet training: checking the man's pulse and breathing, clearing his airway, and positioning him for CPR.
After determining that the young man's heart stopped, he performed chest compressions. After several compressions, the man gasped and began breathing on his own, but was still disoriented, Edness reported. “I was very proud of my training and how to apply it,” he told his family, describing his feelings at the time.
Edness and 36 other Sea Cadets, were trained in CPR on Super Bowl Sunday in February 2008. Janice K. Lavoie, a volunteer adult leader for the Sea Cadet unit; CPR Instructor and Nursing Department Director at an area hospital, coordinated the training and remarked, “seeing Cadet Edness formerly recognized by the Rear Admiral and the Mayor for his actions, makes me proud to be here today; knowing that my volunteering time to help this youth development program, can help in such an important way.”
Fifteen year-old Cadet Kyle W. Herbert of College Park, MD and Instructor Bridget D. Player of Fort Belvior, VA received the Meritorious Recognition Ribbon, the Corps’ third highest award available to an individual. Herbert was recognized for “exceptionally meritorious service,” displaying “exceptional progress, overall performance, motivation,
and dedication, serving as a model and inspiration for others to follow,” during the last four years. Player was recognized for “exceptionally meritorious and sustained service, supporting the training, administration and welfare of the cadets, officers and parents” of the unit, since 2003.
Herbert, along with Cadets Kathryn and Kristine Plata of Ashburn, VA, both age 15, and Cadets Anna and Hannah Lan of McLean, VA, both age 16, were promoted to Sea Cadet Petty Officer Third Class, after completing the required U.S. Navy Correspondence Course and Exam. In accepting the promotion, they became heir to a long and proud tradition, shared by Coast Guardsman and Navy Sailors, and they agreed to demonstrate high standards of performance, moral courage, and dedication, setting an enviable example for other cadets to follow.
Cadet Rachel Eichler, a 10 year-old member of the U.S. Navy League Cadet Corps Training Ship John S. McCain, Jr., also based at the Navy Yard, and 16 year-old Sea Cadet member Jerome Vorus, Jr., both of Alexandria, VA, received recognition as Honor Cadets of the recently completed new member orientation course. Eleven year-old League Cadet Ryan McFadden of Alexandria, VA and Sea Cadet Davon McKenzie, 13, of Capital Heights, MD were awarded certificates as the League Cadet and Sea Cadet of the First Quarter of 2008, for their outstanding conduct, academic and performance achievements.
Cadets Rachel Eichler and Kathryn Plata were joined by Cadets Noel, Zion and Krystle Babayemi and Brian DeShong, all of Bowie, MD; Joffrey Juste of Hyattsville, MD; Elizabeth Eichler of Alexandria, VA and Andreus Leon-Franco of Woodbridge, VA, in being awarded for their academic achievements and earning a spot on the Honor Roll at their schools. Previously, Cadets Anna and Hannah Lan, students at one of the most demanding schools in America, were also given the Sea Cadet Academic Achievement Ribbon.
Seven League Cadets; 25 Sea Cadets and 11 Adults, who volunteer as Instructors and Officers were presented with a special National Headquarters Unit Commendation Ribbon, acknowledging their significant contributions to the two units’ success and for projecting “a positive image of the Naval Sea Cadet Corps and Navy League Cadet Corps in the local community.”
Six League Cadets; 13 Sea Cadets and 8 Adults were recognized for their efforts in helping to attract new members, interested in becoming leaders and developing self-confidence, to the youth program. Fifteen members of the two units, received an award for their longevity in the Nation’s oldest Sea Cadet unit.
Following closing remarks by Rear Admiral Foley and Lieutenant Joseph P Cirone, commanding officer of the two units; the Cadets, adult volunteers and more than 30 parents and guests enjoyed refreshments, food and fellowship at the unit’s Navy Yard office.
The U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps is a Congressionally chartered youth development program, sponsored by the Navy League of the United States and supported by the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard. For over four decades, the program has taught males and females, age 10 to 17, and adult volunteers, age 18 and up, about leadership, honor, courage, commitment, respect and instilled self-confidence, self-reliance, patriotism, and an appreciation for the sea services, while keeping them away from gangs, drugs and other negative influences. The unit’s Commanding Officer is Lieutenant Joseph P Cirone, USNSCC of Woodbridge, VA. For more information, call 703-740-1138 or visit www.seacadetsdc.org
MEDIA NOTE - High resolution images are available from co ( @ ) seacadetsdc dot org.
###
