| Tonight we gathed to recognize two individuals. These two men and their actions are the true definition of a hero. Most people, when asked, refer to a "hero" as a firefighter, a police officer, a paramedic, or a soldier. These "heroes" endure many hours of training. One of the gentlemen we recognize tonight has had no formal training in emergency services. The other gentleman has been a long time member of Glenmoore Fire Co. and has had training. A hero is defined by Webster's dictionary as:
"A man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities."
This is definitely a fitting definition for the two men we honored tonight.
In the early afternoon of August 6th, 2010 two Chester County residence where traveling on Rt. 82 in West Nantmeal Township when they came upon a serious vehicle accident. Joseph Logan of Pottstown and Rich Hlavacek of Elverson were the first to arrive on the scene to find a mid sized car that had struck a utility pole and rolled on its side. The vehicles engine compartment was involved in fire and was quickly spreading to the passenger compartment. The driver was attempting to get out of the vehicle, but was stuck in the front seat. With both of their lives in danger the two gentlemen jumped into action and started to try and free the driver from the burning vehicle. Both gentlemen broke the rear window of the vehicle and pulled the driver to safety. Seconds later the vehicle was fully involved with flames. Firefighters from Glenmoore Fire Co. and Twin Valley Fire Department arrived on the scene moments later and extinguished the blaze. Emergency medical services from Elverson EMS, Martins Corner EMS, and Brandywine Hospital tended to the driver and transported him to a local hospital where he was later released.
Had it not been for the bravery of these two gentlemen the driver would have perished in the blaze. Richard Hlavacek and Joseph Logan are true heroes. Their quick thinking and actions with out a doubt saved a life.
On behalf of West Nantmeal Twp, Glenmoore Fire Co., Twin Valley Fire Department and Elverson EMS, citations of heroism were issued to Joesph Logan and Rich Hlavacek. |