Tackling a gunman in a Lynbrook church, rescuing victims from a fiery car crash on the Southern State Parkway and risking their own lives to help save others at the World Trade Center are examples of just how tragic events can bring out the best in humanity during difficult times. To honor these Long Island heroes, the American Red Cross in Nassau County (ARC/Nassau) held its second annual Real Heroes Breakfast May 14 between 8-10 a.m. at the Garden City Hotel. ARC/Nassau also posthumously honored all Nassau County residents who lost their lives Sept. 11.

Heroes were honored in nine different categories, including fire rescue, law enforcement, Sept. 11, emergency medical service, 911 dispatch, adult good Samaritan, youth good Samaritan, animal rescue and education. In the Sept. 11 category, ARC/Nassau paid tribute to 35 police officers and fire fighters from Nassau who responded to the World Trade Center. All are survivors. This category is in addition to ARC/Nassau posthumously honoring all county residents who lost their lives that fateful day.

Nassau County Police Officer Michael Colonna was honored in the law enforcement category. Officer Colonna responded to an accident involving two school buses at the corner of Newmarket and Meadbrook Roads in Garden City. Upon arrival, he found that 20 of the occupants, including 18 children, had been seriously injured.

One 6-year-old boy was semi-conscious because of an apparent life-threatening head injury accompanied by severe blood loss. After requesting assistance, Officer Colonna immediately tended to the six-year-old, stabilizing his injury by controlling the bleeding. He also requested a medivac helicopter for rapid transport to the hospital. The child was then airlifted to Nassau University Medical Center while Officer Colonna helped coordinate the treatment of the other injured passengers. The child made a full recovery because of Officer Colonna's quick diagnosis and rapid intervention.

Further, Port Authority Police Officer Kevin Ward of Garden City was honored in the Sept. 11 category for his courage, compassion and unselfish character during such a horrific time in American history.

"In the course of our every day lives, we are faced with a situation where we can choose to put another person's needs before our own," Harriette Thayer, ARC/Nassau board chairman, said. "That unselfish decision on behalf of a neighbor, a co-worker or even a stranger can change another person's destiny and, at the same time, our own. Never has that been more undeniable than in September 11."