A typical high school graduation usually has family and friends in attendance, but what about heroes? One particular hero who attended a graduation party in Georgia recently may surprise you.Eighteen years ago, in 2005, two occupants were reported stuck in an elevator at the top of an air traffic control tower at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, according to Deputy Chief Raymond Sikes of the 165th Airlift Wing Fire Emergency Services.Those occupants were Mary Beasley and Leanne Christman, but “somewhere along the line we found out that one of them may be pregnant so we had three,” said Sikes.Mary Beasley said she was seven months pregnant at the time. “Thank God we had the fire rescue people very close by and they were able to come rescue us,” she said. An electrical fire in the elevator shaft caused the elevator to quit working.Two months following the rescue Beasley gave birth to her daughter Malia. Eighteen years later, they reunited with their rescuer for the first time at Malia’s high school graduation party.”I’m glad that she was able to throw this party so that I could meet the guy. I was kind of shocked when she told me, I was like, ‘OK, cool.’ As I grew older, I was more appreciative and thankful that she was able to make it out alive, and same for me,” said Malia said.Sikes said many times, during emergencies, first responders help people in tense moments but don’t get to find out what happens after. “To get a call 18 years later, being invited to a graduation party, that means a lot more than any awards or accolades that we get,” Sikes added.Malia plans to attend college in the fall.
A typical high school graduation usually has family and friends in attendance, but what about heroes? One particular hero who attended a graduation party in Georgia recently may surprise you.
Eighteen years ago, in 2005, two occupants were reported stuck in an elevator at the top of an air traffic control tower at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, according to Deputy Chief Raymond Sikes of the 165th Airlift Wing Fire Emergency Services.
Those occupants were Mary Beasley and Leanne Christman, but “somewhere along the line we found out that one of them may be pregnant so we had three,” said Sikes.
Mary Beasley said she was seven months pregnant at the time.
“Thank God we had the fire rescue people very close by and they were able to come rescue us,” she said.
An electrical fire in the elevator shaft caused the elevator to quit working.
Two months following the rescue Beasley gave birth to her daughter Malia. Eighteen years later, they reunited with their rescuer for the first time at Malia’s high school graduation party.
“I’m glad that she was able to throw this party so that I could meet the guy. I was kind of shocked when she told me, I was like, ‘OK, cool.’ As I grew older, I was more appreciative and thankful that she was able to make it out alive, and same for me,” said Malia said.
Sikes said many times, during emergencies, first responders help people in tense moments but don’t get to find out what happens after.
“To get a call 18 years later, being invited to a graduation party, that means a lot more than any awards or accolades that we get,” Sikes added.
Malia plans to attend college in the fall.
