Hero of the Week 2

"Nobody asked to be a hero. It just sometimes turns out that way" (Black Hawk Down).

Welcome back viewers!
This week's hero is...

Frank Edward (Ed) Ray

Ed Ray was a bus driver who worked for a school in Chowchilla California. On July 15, 1976, he was driving 26 children home from summer school when the unthinkable happened. Three armed men stopped the bus and kidnapped Ray and all the children off the bus and forced them into two vans. The kidnappers then drove Ray and the kids to a rock quarry near Livermore, California. The captives were then forced to enter a trailer that was half-buried in a large hole. After the captives entered the trailer, the kidnappers then proceeded to bury it under four feet of gravel. After being buried for at least 16 hours, Ray and two of the older kids managed to open one of the trailer's trapdoors and dig their way out through the gravel. Ray then helped all 26 children out of the trailer and managed to get hold of the police. The children were eventually reunited with their overjoyed families after they had gone missing for over 17 hours. The three kidnappers were later arrested and sentenced to life in prison.

Thanks to Ed Ray's heroism, all 26 kids survived their horrific ordeal. He received a citation from the California School Employees Association for his heroism and saving the children on his bus. February 26th was declared "Edward Ray Day" by the city of Chowchilla in his honor. Frank Edward Ray continued to work as a bus driver for Chowchilla until he retired in 1988. In the last years of his life he was frequently visited by the kids he helped rescue. He passed away on May 17, 2012, at the age of 91. Frank Edward Ray showed incredible care and dedication to the children he swore to protect. He never asked for any rewards nor did he ever capitalize on his fame. As a bus driver he put the safety of his kids ahead of his own and helped save their lives during a horrific ordeal. He represents the best of the people who work to educate the youth of our country.


http://www.mercedsunstar.com/news/local/community/chowchilla/article11304704.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/19/us/ed-ray-bus-driver-who-helped-save-kidnapped-children-dies-at-91.html?mcubz=0

Hero of the Week 1

Hello Viewers,

For the sake of fun and learning, I have decided to write a short essay every week dedicated to influential yet lesser know people who did something heroic that deserves our admiration. To all those who read this, many thanks.

There are three categories that this blog will explore:
1. An individual hero
2. Multiple heroes who share a connection
3. A team of heroes

This week's hero is....

Marcus Hanna

Marcus Hanna was both a soldier and lighthouse keeper who performed heroic work throughout his life. He was born in Bristol, Maine to a family of lighthouse keepers. Although he intended to follow his family's footsteps the Civil War came and he chose to put it aside to serve his country. He enlisted in the 50th Massachusetts Infantry and rose the rank of sergeant. During the Siege of Port Hudson, Sergeant Hanna ran through the crossfire carrying water to his comrades. He did this while often exposing himself to enemy fire. As a result he saved many soldiers from dying of thirst and heatstroke. For his heroism in risking his life to save his brothers in arms, Sergeant Marcus Hanna received the Congressional Medal of Honor.

However, Hanna's service to his country did not end there. When the Civil War was over, he received an honorable discharge and returned to Maine where he became the keeper of the Pemaquid Point Light in Bristol. In 1873, Hanna was transferred to the Cape Elizabeth Light Station near Portland (also known as: Twin Lights). It was here that once again, he courage and dedication to duty would make a difference.

On January 28, 1885 a schooner named Australian, was wrecked by a furious gale storm. Its two surviving crew members clung to the wreckage and struggled to call for help. After spotting them from the lighthouse, Marcus Hanna grabbed a rope and waded into the frigid sea. Despite nearly freezing himself, Hanna threw the rope to the trapped sailors and pulled them from the sea, saving their lives. For his heroism on that night, Hanna was awarded the Gold Life Saving Medal. 

To date, he is the only individual to receive both the highest decorations for soldiers and civilians in the United States. Throughout his life, Marcus Hanna was dedicated to helping his fellow citizens at the risk of his own life. He is remembered as brave and selfless individual and symbolizes the very best in American servicemen.

https://www.uscg.mil/history/awards/GoldLSM/28JAN1885.asp

http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/civwaral.html