Friday, February 12th Event

Db:everydayheroes.ma

Contact: Donna Bigler, 240-777-6507
Or Pete Piringer, 240-372-3749 (cell)


County Executive and Fire Chief to Recognize
Everyday Heroes

Local Residents Risked Own Lives to Save Others
plus Family of Triplets Re-unite with Rescuers

Thursday, February 12, 2009
10 a.m.

Terrace Level Cafeteria, Executive Office Building
101 Monroe Street, Rockville

County Executive Isiah Leggett, Acting Fire Chief Richard Bowers and other officials will recognize a group of “everyday heroes” in a ceremony in Rockville. Several individuals and groups of citizens will come together to be recognized for a number of life-saving actions that occurred throughout the County over the past few months at fires and various medical emergencies.

In addition, a Bethesda family with triplets will be reunited for the first time with the firefighters/rescuers and emergency medical workers who rescued the triplets from their burning home on Jamestown Road on December 3, 2008.

Other “heroes” include a cable employee who rescued several trapped victims from a building fire at 11657 Lockwood Drive in Silver Spring, Maryland (White Oak Garden apartments) using a ladder prior to the arrival of firefighters on December 6, 2008. In addition, the individuals who pulled a driver to safety from a burning car on July 26, 2008 on Burnt Hill Road near Clarksburg, and the bystanders who used an on site AED (automatic external defibrillator) to save the life of a 50-year-old who was playing a pick up game of basketball at BCC High School will also be recognized. Because of their quick thinking, decisive action and willingness to get involved several people are alive today. In some cases survivors, victims, co-workers and family members will be present at the ceremony.

February 12th Event Remarks

Ladies and gentlemen,

How do we adequately say “thank you” for saving our family, especially when there are literally so many of you, more than 75 fire and rescue and first responders, we wish to thank!? We recently had the privilege of meeting with Battalion Chief Jim Resnick, and a few other senior fire officials to help fill in the blanks about that fateful day. This was very helpful to our healing process. In particular, we asked detailed questions about the rescue to better understand each of your roles and the impact your role played.

We recognize how fortunate we are to be here together, as a FAMILY, to offer our sincere thanks. We have looked forward to the time when we had an opportunity like this to thank ALL who were instrumental in rescuing Michel and our children. For those who could not be present here today, please know that we will continue to reach out to you so that you may know our hearts are filled with gratitude.

Clearly, an event like this required meticulous coordination, organization, leadership and teamwork. It also required faith and hope - even during the darkest hours. Thousands of prayers were said not only for our family but for each and every one of you for your safety - so that you could also return to your family and loved-ones.

In the aftermath of the fire at our home, we could feel the swell of community support that extended well beyond any of our expectations. During our time of crisis, the holidays came and went yet we could still feel the spirit of Christmas all around us. Now, as we approach St Valentine's Day, we feel truly blessed to have had so many hearts opened to ours. And, certainly, each of the fire and rescue teams truly risked their lives to save our children and because of that, our boys’ hearts are still beating today – and they will always beat in synch with yours from now on.

You are not simply “Every Day Heroes”, you are Heroes EVERY DAY, especially at our home…wherever that home may be. Our hearts and home remain open to you always.

XO,
Aiden, Bricen, Coleson, Michael & Ami Susan
Sesto & Asti

February 12th Event

February 12, 2009

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is our great privilege to be here today to join with other members of our community to thank some of the brave individuals who did so much to save our family and our home. We know that not everyone who was involved in that great effort could be with us in person this morning, but our thanks go out to all of the men and women who responded, or were otherwise involved, that day. Without them, we would not be a family today, and all of them have our full and heartfelt gratitude.

Events such as the one at our home on December 3rd, 2008 remind us that we are indeed, members of a community. We depend on one another, and together we can achieve great things. In his recent Inaugural Address, President Obama said, regarding our sense of community as a nation, that: “It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.” Certainly we, as a family, understand both parts of that equation intimately.

And so, today, we would simply like to say: thank you. Thank you to all of the fire and rescue, police, and medical personnel whose professionalism and sound judgment averted disaster. Thank you to all of the church, alumni, and other groups with which we are affiliated that came swiftly to our aid. Thank you to the dedicated and skillful doctors, nurses, and staff at Children’s National Medical Center for working so hard to save lives. Thank you to our friends, our families, and our neighbors. You – all of you – are our community. We thank you for your love and for your support.

Michael, Ami Susan, Aiden, Bricen, and Coleson Petrucelli

A Message from the Petrucellis

Michael and I wanted to take a moment to extend our gratitude to each one of you as 2009 begins. We have always known that the friends and family we have in our lives are very special indeed, but the incredible support that Michael and I have received over the last month has been overwhelming. We know that there are so many of you that have helped in a myriad of ways that we are only just discovering, but we are so grateful for everything. Whether you have sent a meal, donated clothes or toys, lent your prayers for our boys' recovery, helped field phone calls and email when we haven't been able to, or checked in on the Lotsa Helping Hands website - we are so grateful for everything you have done for us.

Our lives have been a whirlwind of activity in the last three weeks, with the boys in the hospital, trying to find and move into a temporary residence, and working on the neverending details with the efforts involved in rebuilding our home, but all of you have been there for us from the first moments after the fire. It seems that everywhere we turn these days, there is an angel waiting to help. As we have said to eachother over the past weeks, God is good, but so are people.

The boys continue to recover from their injuries from the fire, and we are working hard to instill a new sense of normalcy and routine into our lives amidst the chaos. The boys will have continuing medical needs and follow up care, but we are so grateful that they are home with us. We felt immense joy that we were able to celebrate the holidays together.

We cannot express the extent of our gratitude for the support system around us and we thank you for helping us rebuild our life. Please continue to check the Lotsa Helping Hands site as we will continue to update the site with action items and tasks as our needs become known. We are making lists with things as basic as forks and knives and high chairs to more extensive tasks like helping with carpooling the boys to their many doctor’s appointments. We can’t thank you enough for the help you have already provided and for the help you continue to offer.

We wish each and every one of you a happy, healthy and peaceful 2009.

The Petrucelli Family

December 17th Update

The Petrucelli family is delighted to report that all three boys - Aiden, Bricen and Coleson - improved so dramatically in the last few days that all have now been relased from the hospital. Last night, the entire family was reunited under one roof for the first time since the fire, an incredible moment for all of them. While some issues related to overall health status and ongoing care remain, the family is deeply grateful to all who have participated in helping them achieve this important milestone.

It may be that words can never adequately express their thanks to all of the individuals who have offered their help and support at this difficult time, as well as to all of the police, fire, first responder, and health care professionals who went so far above and beyond the call of duty in saving these boys' lives. However, that will not prevent them from trying, and those words, and further updates on the family's condition, will be available soon.

We will continue to update the Lots of Helping Hands website with the family's needs as they become known over the next few days and weeks. As always, thank you for your help and support.

Thursday Update

Thank you to everyone who has signed up to help the Michael, Ami Susan,
Aiden, Bricen and Coleson in some way. The Petrucelli boys continue to make
slow but hopeful progress. Michael and Ami Susan have been living on very
little sleep but continue to stay positive with family and close friends
around them. The extended network of friends and strangers has given them
strength to face the daunting task of what will come -- rebuilding their
home. While their home is truly where their boys are, they will need to
rely on the kindness of all of you as time goes on. Please stay tuned for
requests for help in the next coming days and weeks.

Thank you again for your thoughts and prayers.

Tuesday Update

Your thoughts and prayers are working! The hospital has now listed Aiden in "Fair" condition and Bricen and Coleson in "Serious" condition. The progress is slow but definitely moving positively. Please keep these precious little boys in your prayers and as they continue to fight and heal.