Good-Samaritan Airmen provide assistance

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Heather Stanton
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  The holiday season is about giving to others, and spreading joy and holiday cheer. It is about being selfless in a world where most ask "What about me?"

Three Airmen from the 4th Medical Group exhibited selflessness and bravery when they stopped to help victims of a vehicle accident while on the way to work.

The accident involved two vehicles at approximately 6:45 a.m. Dec. 18 near the Highway 70 exit on Highway 13.

"I saw a guy running back and forth, looking frantic," said Senior Airman Johnnie Pope, 4th Medical Support Squadron information services technician, who was the first Airman to arrive on scene. "I pulled my truck off to the side of the road and asked the man what had happened and if he had called 9-1-1."

The "frantic" individual had not yet called police, so Airman Pope called. When the individual took over the phone call with police, Airman Pope went to the vehicle with the most damaged and attended to the passenger.

"I was concerned about the young lady in the red vehicle," he said. "She was okay, no injuries, just shook up a bit. I kept talking to her to keep her calm."

While Airman Pope was attending to the young woman, Tech. Sgts. Christopher and Christina Hernandez, 4th Aerospace Medical Squadron, drove up and stopped at the accident scene.

"When I saw that the young lady in the red vehicle was okay, I went to the other vehicle and saw the driver, an older woman, crying," said Sgt. Christina Hernandez, noncommissioned officer in charge of records and reception at the dental clinic. "I sat next to her, held her hand and tried to keep her calm."

Soon after, police arrived and ensured both victims were alright while Sgt. Christopher Hernandez, NCOIC of dental logistics, assisted in removing debris from the road.

Coworkers of the Airmen consider them good Samaritans.

"It's great to see these guys carry out and represent the 4th Medical Group," said Tech. Sgt. Jeff Vicars, 4th AMDS dental NCOIC. "It was good of them to stop while others just drove by. They are great examples of Strike Eagle medics."

Airman Pope and Sgt. Christina Hernandez claim their military training helped them prepare for such an incident.

"Between self-aid and buddy care, having a level head and military professionalism, it seemed like we knew what we needed to do at that time," Sgt. Christina Hernandez said.

Thankfully none of the victims were hurt and the Airmen did not have to use their self-aid and buddy care training.

"We provided comfort more than anything else," Sgt. Christopher Hernandez said.

The act of stopping on the side of the road, in near-freezing temperatures displayed the selflessness embedded in Seymour Johnson Airmen, during the holiday season and throughout the rest of the year.

"Whether it was Christmas or not, we would have done the same thing," Sgt. Christina Hernandez said.