Posted by The Huron Hub | June 22, 2022

At a recent Huron board meeting, Trustee Angie Cady, along with Commander Jim LaCasse and Adjunct Troy McFarland from Huron Township American Legion post 231, presented Huron Township Director of Public Safety Everette Robbins with a 15 x 25-foot American flag.

This is not just any flag.

About a year and a half ago, Director Robbins and the Huron Township Fire Department were hosting a fire station open house and had the ladder truck up with a very large American flag flying from it.

Fire Chief James Hinojosa said the flag was borrowed from Flat Rock and had been flown on a fighter jet that was on the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier.

He also mentioned Director Robbins would love to have one for Huron Township.

At the board meeting, Trustee Angie Cady explained that In 2017, she had the honor to be a part of a Tiger Cruise and spend a week aboard the USS Nimitz as a guest of her niece, Staff Sgt. Caitlin Mercure, on the final week of her deployment as part of Operation Inherent Resolve. She had a fellow Marine, Sgt. Brandon Morris that was again deployed and agreed to help out with obtaining the flag.

A flag was ordered and was on it’s way to the USS Nimitz. The flag flew over Afghanistan in support of Operation Inherent Resolve as part of the relentless dedication to the Global War on Terrorism.

“I am extremely honored and humbled to receive this gift. Our flag is an amazing representation of the men and women who unselfishly represent our country. The flag will be on display for the first time at the Waltz 150 Celebration. This weekend, our Fire Department will display this flag proudly while being thankful for sacrifice made by so many in our armed forces. I cannot thank Trustee Cady and Chief Hinojosa enough as this means much more to me that I can put into words,” said Robbins.

Article courtesy of Huron Valley Ambulance | Posted June 13, 2022 on The Huron Hub

It’s not often that first responders get to see the outcome of their hard work after a call, but this week HVA Paramedic Ryan, HVA 911 Dispatcher Mark, Fire Captain Bauman, and Officer Kostielney from Huron Township Department of Public Safety had the chance to reunite with a patient whose life they all helped save.

In the summer of 2021, local resident Kyle Smith was injured at work, resulting in the accidental amputation of his left hand. Due to the skill and quick actions of everyone involved with Kyle’s emergency response, his life and his hand were both saved. Kyle’s hand was successfully reattached by the skilled surgeons at Detroit Medical Center. Almost a year later, after multiple surgeries, ongoing therapy, the endless support of his family and girlfriend, and his own determination, Kyle now has almost full function of his hand again. Kyle’s successful reattachment is so rare that he is now part of a case study at Wayne State University. Kyle shared, “When I asked my doctors if I would be able to use my hand again, they couldn’t give me an answer. They just didn’t know. Now I want to be an example for anyone else who has a reattachment. If someone is going through what I went through, I’m there for them.”

Kyle’s story is an incredible example of the pre-hospital “chain of survival” achieving an exceptional outcome. The instructions bystanders received from 911 dispatch, a tourniquet quickly applied by Officer Kostielney, on-scene care provided by Huron Twp FD and HVA medics, and the ongoing care Kyle received while being transported to the hospital all set the stage for the successful reattachment of his hand when he arrived at the hospital.

Thank you to everyone involved with this call; your actions have positively changed the rest of Kyle’s life. We’re rooting for you during your continuing recovery, Kyle! We know that you’ll continue to give it your all.