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| Austin Plane Crash Hero Honored with 3 Challenge Coins |
| 2010-02-26 |
| I have always admired the military's challenge coins, it's traditions. I didn't know police, firemen and EMS also had them. Until I saw this. First time in Austin history one person received all three. Being a former soldier, what an honor for him! If you haven't seen his interview with Megan Kelley of Fox, well google it. He told her, "I couldn't get them to follow orders! Workers, citizens honored in City Hall ceremony The people involved in saving lives after a local pilot crashed his plane into the IRS building received accolades Thursday at Austin City Hall. Firefighters, EMS workers, and police officers as well as citizens lined up to reflect on their service and have a moment of silence for the victims to mark the moment when local engineer Joseph Stack flew his plane into the IRS building in an apparent anti-government suicide attack one week ago today. More than 50 first responders showed up to City Hall to tell their stories and share how they got people out of the building. In all, more than 200 people from the Austin Police Department showed up on the scene, as well as multiple fire companies and crews. One of the first crews on the scene, members of Engine 21 from the Austin Fire Department, said they expected to see many more people inside the crash site, but also said they credited the preparation of the building workers for getting out quickly. One of the other heroes of the day was a worker for Binswanger glass who just happened to be in the area. Robin Dehaven said he helped rescue six people from the burning building by hoisting a ladder to the building. Thursday morning, the City of Austin honored him with three "Challenge Coins" - from the Austin police, fire and EMS departments - as a token of heroism. He talked about his simple act of service Thursday morning. "I don't recommend anyone try to go do this," Dehaven said. "Hopefully I don't have to run into another building again. It was a crazy circumstance." Austinites have also organized a candlelight vigil for Thursday on the one week anniversary of the crash. Organizers will show up across the highway from the Echelon One building in the Manny Hattan's parking lot on the Northbound frontage road on 183 at 6:15 p.m. At the ceremony, Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell addressed the controversial statements made by Stack's daughter, calling him a hero. Leffingwell called the suicide crash of Stack, 53, "cowardly.". |
| Posted by:Sherry |
| #1 Is he Feffingwell the mayor of Austin? Oh! It must be my eyes. |
| Posted by: Canuckistan sniper 2010-02-26 20:20 |