When it comes to the backbone of America, postal workers are at the helm.
Their line of work involves commitment and dedication to getting our mail delivered as diligently as possible. The influence traces all the way back to 1775 when Benjamin Franklin was appointed as America’s first Postmaster General.
Sometimes, postal workers go far and beyond their line of work to make miracles happen. Just ask Mailman Fernando Garcia who sprung into action when it mattered most.
On October 9th in Norwalk, California, it was supposed to be a normal day for Garcia, until heard bloodcurdling screams coming from nearby. Immediately, the brave postal worker turned his attention away from delivering mail and went to go see what the commotion was about.
He was shocked when he arrived to the scene of a 70-year old Miguel Cabral, who had been doing garage work when he accidentally gashed part of his arm with his chainsaw.
“I was fixing a part of the roof in the garage,” Cabral said. “I looked once and I knew it was bad so I told my sister to call the emergency.”
The cut was located a few inches below his elbow and was about 3 inches wide and 5 inches long. The bleeding was so intense that Cabral had to lay on the ground to slow down the bleeding. Talk about a close call!
“My sister was going crazy and kept asking what to do,” said Miguel. He lives with his sisters, one 75 and the other 60. The younger one was the one who made a call for assistance.
When he saw what was going on, Garcia rushed to Cabral’s aid by using his belt to hoist his arm and create a makeshift tourniquet.
Fortunately, the victim did not need any major surgical work and could still move his fingers ever so gently. 10 stiches was all he got for a moment that could have turned for the worst. Cabral expressed deep gratitude towards Garcia’s heroic effort in his time of need.
“Doctors kept asking me and checking if I can move my fingers and I could,” Cabral said. “I told him a million times, ‘thank you’. He is the real hero,” referring to the mailman. Garcia felt happy to be of service in any would he could. He knew he was lucky to be at the right place and the right time to do what was right.
“I was a little panicky but at the end of the day… I do what anybody else would have done, which was to try to stop the bleeding,” said Garcia. “I was just fortunate to be there to help him out.”
The entire incident was posted and shared by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Norwalk Station. The tweet read: “EVERY DAY HERO-A male accidentally cut himself w/a chainsaw. Luckily, male carrier Mr Garcia heard the family screams and sprung into action using his belt as a tourniquet 2 stop the bleeding on the man’s arm. Man has good prognosis due 2 Mr Garcia’s actions.”
Putting yourself in front of potential harm for a better outcome: that’s what heroism is all about.
It’s stories like these that inspire greatness when it matters the most. Mailman Fernando Garcia had no business seeking out the screams, but he did so knowing it would make a difference that day. Even when paramedics took a mighty long time to arrive, he kept his composure and did not panic.
Just another day in the life of a hard-working postman.
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