By FireRescue1 Staff
ADELPHI, Md. — It’s never too late to say thank you — even if it’s 58 years later.
For siblings Michael and Linda Hart, they had the opportunity to thank the firefighter who saved them from their burning home in 1959. The two were able to connect with 84-year-old retired firefighter Edwin “Stu” Newman after recently discovering old newspaper clippings from the fire, reported WTOP.
After speaking with officials at Prince George’s County Fire and EMS, Michael and Linda were able to meet with Newman.
“I never imagined that so many years later that I’d have the opportunity to meet you, and shake your hand and thank you for saving me that day,” Michael Hart told Newman. “It’s always been a defining moment in my life.”
Newman said he remembers finding Michael unconscious and placed his SCBA on his face before carrying him out of the building.
“My part was over very promptly,” Newman said. “That was the only thing I was supposed to do.”
Michael and Linda expressed their gratitude toward Newman, adding that just months prior to the fire, they had lost a younger brother to SIDS
“It’s not only that our lives were saved, it’s that the rest of our family was allowed to be much more whole,” Linda Hart said.
After locating and identifying Newman, it was also discovered that he was never awarded retirement credentials when he retired 20 years ago.
As a result, the department bestowed Newman a retirement ID, badge and challenge coin.
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