Heroes human and canine honored in Bangor

BANGOR – A dog that rescued a kid, a kid that rescued a dog. The WABI-TV American Red Cross Real Heroes Breakfast had it all. No wonder 700 people showed up at the Bangor Civic Center at 7:30 in the morning on Nov. 14.

Each honoree received a carved eagle on a wooden base, and each was the subject of a short video by WABI. The seven recipients were:

. Constable Deputy Sheriff William Laughlin, receiving the educator award for his work in the Hermon schools. He and wife Connie also coordinate programs instilling good values in pupils.

. Galen Cole, receiving the medical award for raising awareness about treatment options for prostate cancer. He has spoken and written about his experience, and brought to Bangor a cancer expert.

. Jeff Carmichael and Arlo McDougal, receiving the adult good Samaritan award for pulling Roger Lawler from a burning truck.

. Capt. Rick Thompson, receiving the military award for jumping into Sebasticook Lake to rescue Andrew Bladen.

. Stephen Feener, receiving the youth good Samaritan award for using pet first aid to save his dog.

. Scout, who saved 5-year-old Owen McGreavy of Lamoine when he fell into a pond.

“She’s a hero dog. That’s the dog,” young Owen said during Scout’s video segment. The audience laughed appreciatively, but the morning was full of mostly somber moments because of the tragedies of Sept. 11.

Two New York City firefighters were on hand to receive an award for all the rescuers: Gerard Belletiere of Ladder Co. 118, Engine 205; and Brian Difisco of Ladder Co. 156, Engine 276.

Also attending were family members of U.S. Army Lt. Col. William T. McKinnon Sr., a Bangor native who risked his life to save a fellow officer who was injured when a plane crashed into the Pentagon near Washington.

The event closed with the performing of “Yes, We Stand” by Alyssa and Breanne, local grade-school pupils who recorded the song on CD and video to raise money for Red Cross relief efforts.

Alyssa, who is 11, wrote the song just days after the events of Sept. 11. Some people in the audience shed tears as the girls sang.

Also participating in the event, coordinated by Jerry Jarrell, were Tim Throckmorton and Lani Witt, WABI; Master Sgt. Dennis Smith; the Rev. Frank Murray; Joyce Henckler, CEO of the Pine Tree Chapter, American Red Cross; Thomas Judge, director of LifeFlight; and an honor guard from the 101st Air Refueling Wing of the Maine Air National Guard.

In addition to those receiving awards, hero award nominees were recognized: Trisha Smith, Theresa Byers, Bev Uhlenhake and the Bangor Humane Society, Patti Drake, Judy Glover, Bill Langley and Chris Newton.

The CD and video of “Yes, We Stand” are available at Borders Books and Music, Sam Goody and the Grasshopper Shop in Bangor. The cost is $18 each. Items may be ordered by check from Yes We Stand, P.O. Box 165, Carmel, Maine 04419. For credit card, call (800) 361-9179; or order through the Web site, www.yeswestand.com.