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St. Croix Rescue graduates 10 recruits
Daily News Staff
Tuesday, January 25th 2005

Photo courtesy of ST. CROIX RESCUE St. Croix Rescue recently graduated 10 new members. In the above photo, Rescue Chief Gregory Richards is fourth from left in the front row, and training coordinator Lt. Alric Gardine is sixth from left in the back row. T

St. Croix Rescue recently added 10 recruits to its membership at a graduation ceremony on Jan. 16 at HOVENSA's Recreation Center.

The newest members are Akil-Talib Andrews, Ramona Cruz, Jason Henry, Henry James, Laura Martin, Ricardo Simmons, Angel Navarro, Dustin Rhodes, Lisa Richards-Ryan and Tasha Warner. They all completed four months of extreme training to receive their certificates as first responders. All were certified in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Automatic External Defibrillator (AED), extrication, repelling, first responder and water safety.

Several people spoke at the ceremony including Jason Henry, valedictorian, who spoke about the class theme, "Preserving Lives." He said it meant both emotionally and physically and extended from themselves to their families and the St. Croix community.

"We are your angels, we are going to be your guardian angels, we'll be there for you," Henry concluded

St. Croix Rescue Chief Gregory Richards requested a moment of silence to remember Rescue members who have died.

Richards talked to the graduates about their exit essays, about their honesty and insights. He addressed one graduate who had written about his life, growing up without a mother, falling into a bad crowd and how being with Rescue has given him a sense of understanding of the world.

Richards told that graduate and his classmates that, "we will take care of you in this organization." He told the crowd "we learn from them, they help to guide us."

Administrator Gregory Francis attended the graduation on behalf of Gov. Charles Turnbull and Lt. Gov. Vargrave Richards.

V.I. Police Chief Novelle Francis, a member of St. Croix Rescue's board of directors, spoke on behalf of board chair Stephen Richards. Francis told the graduates the money could never compensate them for what they do. Their reward will be the satisfaction of doing their jobs.

The Rescuer of the Year Award for 2004 also was given to two members, Rachel Tank and Vincent Joseph. According to Richards, both went above and beyond the call of duty in the last year. Both received plaques and will share a $500 award.

The Rev. Jeremy Swan, a member of the board, closed the ceremony.

The St. Croix Rescue Squad is a nonprofit community organization and has been an emergency services provider and training agency for emergency services personnel for more than 20 years. Rescue squad officers and staff are on duty 24 hours per day to respond to 911 calls for fire, emergency medical response and situations requiring specialized rescue on land or at sea.

For more information on St. Croix Rescue, call 692-9400 or e-mail stxrescue@netscape.net or chief@stxrescue.com.

Original story found at http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/index.pl/article_home?id=2437572