Virginia Adjutant General recognizes Soldiers for first aid response - June 11, 2009

Two Virginia National Guard Soldiers were recognized in Virginia Beach June 15 for using their combat life saving skills to save a Virginia girl suffering a medical emergency at a restaurant in Richmond June 11. The Soldiers diagnosed and treated a young girl for symptoms of heat stroke and stabilized her until Emergency Medical Technicians arrived on the scene.

Maj. Gen. Robert B. Newman, the Adjutant General of Virginia, presented Virginia Bronze Stars to Spc. Ronald G Leftwich Jr. of Midlothian and Staff Sgt. Larry D. Pleasants, of Virginia Beach June 15 during a Virginia Guard training exercise. The two Soldiers were dining at the Golden Corral near Midlothian when they witnessed a female fall and begin labored breathing. According to Pleasants, a large number of people immediately came to the female’s aid but had little idea what to do. Pleasants approached the female and asked if he could help and was immediately told yes by the girl’s mother.