Narrative

The American Ambulance Association (AAA) held it's 14th Annual Stars of Life event at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington D.C., May 1-4, 2005. The AAA's Star of Life celebration is the most exciting program that honors dedicated ambulance service professionals. The recipients of the "Star of Life" distinction are EMT's, medics, dispatchers, or other exceptional EMS personnel that have been nominated and are being recognized for service above and beyond the call of duty, years of service, on-duty heroism, or are employees of the year.

The event featured a banquet and award presentation ceremony to honor the "Stars", a guided tour of Washingtin D.C., and opportunities to meet with the local congressional representatives.

This year CARE selected EMT Penny Gonzales-Green to receive the 2005 Star of Life Award. Her award citation read as follows:

On October 24, 2004 while attending to an agitated patient, a disturbed individual appeared on-scene and began brandishing a weapon at police officers. The resulting confrontation ended in gunfire. While moving the patient out of the line-of-fire, Penny was hit by a stray round and even though wounded, continued to protect and treat her patient until help arrived and took over treatment of both her and her patient.

Penny began her career as an EMT in in 1997, and first came to CARE the following year. In 2001, Penny left CARE to attend Paramedic school and the Fire Academy. She returned to CARE in 2003 and has been serving as a Field Training Officer with distinction. Penny was accompanied on her trip to Washington by her husband BJ, and sponsor Bob Barry, CARE Public Relations.

In addition to being able to tour Washington, DC., we were able to meet with Congressman Dana Rohrabacher and Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez.  

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