Red Cross military heroes Published Nov. 20, 2008 By Capt. Larry Kohlman 141st Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Two 141st Air Refueling Wing, Air National Guardsmen were honored with the 2008 Hometown Heroes "Military Award" from the Red Cross on Nov. 13, for their life saving actions that occurred during the summer of 2008. While attending Operation Purple at Camp Sweyolakan, Idaho in Aug. 2008, Lt. Col. Joseph Ferraro, project officer for the control column actuated brake modification, and Master Sgt. Bill Mader, 141st Air Refueling Wing command post controller, rescued a camp staff member from Lake Coeur D'Alene, Idaho. The Camp Sweyolakan teenage staff member had a seizure while on the dock and subsequently fell into the water. Her body was facedown in the water and moving erratically, said Colonel Ferraro. He was the first to jump in and remove the victim from the water. "Our training just took over and we were able to help," said Colonel Ferraro. Sergeant Mader was the next on the scene and both Guardsmen cared for the teenager for 45 minutes until paramedics arrived. "We did what anyone else would have done in that position," said Sergeant Mader. Operation Purple was led by 141st ARW Family Programs coordinator Mary Thomas. She annually directs a camp for the dependents of Air National Guard members. Part of her tasking is to select staff members to lead the children and coordinate military leaders that donate their time to help with overall leadership and safety of the camps. "I am so happy that Joe and Bill were there," said Ms. Thomas. "Today the teenager is alive because of these two heroes."