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| Oregon State Police thank Marine in full dress uniform |
| 2006-07-02 |
| Oregon State Police said Marine in full dress uniform stopped at serious-injury Hwy. 97 crash, rendered first aid after memorial service for Pfc. Thomas Tucker. You just got to know that police, fireman, EMS, State Troopers were at the furneral. They so support our troops. So good that Marine was there. Two people were seriously injured in a three-vehicle crash Saturday afternoon on Highway 97 south of Madras, Oregon State Police said. Troopers offered special thanks to a U.S. Marine who stopped to provide first aid as he returned from the Redmond memorial service for Army Pfc. Thomas Tucker. The crash occurred around 3:45 p.m., at Highway 97 and Jericho Road, about 15 miles south of Madras. The collision shut Highway 97 for about 70 minutes, at a time when a procession of up to 300 vehicles was heading north from Redmond to Tucker's funeral at a Madras cemetery. A 1991 Ford Escort four-door station wagon driven by Michael Conklin of Madras was trying to cross the highway eastbound on Jericho Road, according to OSP Sr. Trooper Terry Miller. As it drove between two stopped southbound vehicles to cross the northbound lane, it was struck in the passenger side by a northbound 2002 Honda Accord two-door driven by Steve A. Santos, 36, of southeast Portland, Miller said. After that impact, the Escort struck a stopped southbound 2005 Subaru Outback station wagon, the trooper said. Conklin, seriously injured, reportedly was taken by ambulance to Mountain View Hospital in Madras, Miller said. A male passenger, whom troopers had not identified, also was seriously injured and was flown by Air Life helicopter to St. Charles Medical Center-Bend. Trooper Miller said a Marine traveling in the area, identified as Kevin Houser (with no age or hometown provided) stopped and was instrumental in providing first aid until medical personnel could arrive. Santos and his passenger, Peter J. Citrano of Anchorage, Alaska, were not hurt. The Escort and Accord were totaled in the crash, while the Subaru received minor damage. The Subaru's two occupants, Richard and Mary Bradley of Gresham, were not taken to the hospital, but Mary Bradley reportedly suffered minor injuries, Miller said. Conklin reportedly was driving with a suspended license, Miller said, but no enforcement action had been taken at the time of the OSP press release. |
| Posted by:Sherry |
| #5 I'm in for $20, just say where to send it. Jim |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2006-07-02 19:28 |
| #4 Semper Fi ...would like to contribute to get this kid a new set of full dress. Any thought on how to do that? |
| Posted by: Warthog 2006-07-02 18:31 |
| #3 I sent an email to author of this article. He has already contacted a couple of vets in his area to see what they can find out about this fellow, and to give him a pat on the back. He has promised to stay in touch, since I told him, being in Austin, TX, I didn't always watch or read their station! |
| Posted by: Sherry 2006-07-02 17:35 |
| #2 Full dress uniforms are expensive. Especially if this Marine is junior enlisted, blood, oil etc. ruining the uniform would mean a significant monetay sacrifice. Made quietly and quickly when needed. Semper Fi, Marine Houser. |
| Posted by: lotp 2006-07-02 15:00 |
| #1 I remember an Army Reserve unit that had been on light infantry maneuvers in the desert and were returning in civilian vehicles when they happened on a serious auto accident. Then rendered first aid to several seriously injured people then left when the emergency vehicles finally arrived. Back in town, covered in filth and camouflage paint, they were pulled over by a policeman, who basically was wondering why, in addition, they were also covered in blood. After a brief explanation, he remarked that "You guys train a lot harder than we used to." |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2006-07-02 14:04 |