10th Mountain Division Soldiers honored as heroes by American Red Cross
Staff Sgt. Lawrence Holmes
27th Public Affairs Detachment
On Oct. 18, 2022, while stopping at a diner for gas and coffee, the 10th Mountain Division (LI) Soldiers heard what they initially thought was a car crash but quickly realized it was not. Lundemo and Hayes began evacuating the diner’s patrons and staff to safety when they noticed a man under an exploded and burning vehicle.
"We noticed he was in need of a lot more help, so we immediately picked him up and moved him out towards the road," Lundemo said.
With the assistance of another bystander, Lundemo and Hayes moved the man, who was severely burned, and treated him for shock while waiting for the arrival of emergency medical services personnel.
The quick reaction of these Soldiers went unnoticed initially, as they did not mention the event to anyone in their unit.
"The battalion command sergeant major and the battalion lieutenant colonel called us and asked us why we didn't say anything about it,” Lundemo said. “We just thought we'd go back to work like normal.”
Spc. Jacob Lundemo was named an American Red Cross Hero, Dec. 6, 2023, at the Downtown Marriott, Syracuse, New York. Lundemo was honored for his selfless service and duty when he helped to pull a man from under a burning vehicle Oct. 18, 2022. (U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Lawrence Holmes, 27h Public Affairs Detachment)
The actions of these Soldiers is an example where a good deed did not go unnoticed, and now, one year later, Lundemo accepted an American Red Cross Hero award on behalf of himself and Hayes, who currently serves in the National Guard.
The American Red Cross Real Heroes Celebration banquet occurs once a year, honoring the service of seven to 10 central and northern New York community members.
Communications and Disaster Duty Officer Bobbie Kurkowski said Soldiers like Lundemo and Hayes represent the best of the American Red Cross and its intent.
"A lot of these people don't even want to be called a hero,” Kurkowski said. “Just be yourself and have a heart. That's what the Red Cross is all about."
Soldiers perform their duty every day, so Lundemo is fully aware of the significance of this honor.
"Personally, this means to me that it doesn't matter your rank,” he said. “When it comes down to it, if you can do the job, just go and do it."