Rescue Lucy

SOUTH LAMAR RESCUE SQUAD

P. O. BOX 627

MILLPORT, AL 35576

PHONE 1-205-662-3203

The South Lamar Rescue Squad of Millport and Kennedy, Alabama, is pleased to announce the selection of one of our members for the "Volvo For Life Awards." Lucy Bowles was selected to be in the top five in Alabama to celebrate the 5th anniversary of "Volunteers for Life" sponsered by the Volvo Automobile Company. These are people that have volunteered their time and efforts to help others and make a difference in their lives.

Lucy, a florist by trade, joined the South Lamar Rescue Squad (SLRS) in 1976. She has put her heart into helping others for 29 years; going so far as putting her life in danger to save others. Lucy was voted to be the SLRS Fund Raiser because she was constantly raising money for it. When aluminum cans started selling, Lucy would go out on the highway and pick up cans for the squad. She did this on her own, but now has many people saving the cans for her. During these activities, Lucy has never failed to respond to the calls for someone in need. She will close her florist to help others. Since most of the members of SLRS work, Lucy keeps one of the ambulances at her residence in order to respond quicker. She is on-call 24/7.

One night, Lucy was on her way to pick up a neighbor from work that didn't have a way home. She heard someone calling for help on her CB radio. She asked what the problem was and was told that a man was tring to run them off the road. She called for the Police to meet her on the 4-lane in Millport. Lucy told the person behind her to stay close as he could that help was on the way. As they were getting on the 4-lane, the person chasing them went around Lucy and stopped and got out of his truck with a gun. At the same time the police arrived. Lucy kept her lights shining in His face until he was arrested. The threatened couple never knew who their Guardian Angel was; Lucy went on her was as if nothing happened.

In another incident, Lucy was called by the Millport police to see about an elderly man that was disoriented. She found out that He had left his home at two a.m. in Orlando, FL to visit relatives in Mississippi. He had lost his way and had driven all day, stopping in Millport. A call was made to his neighbor in FL. She told Lucy who the man was and where he was going. Lucy told the neighbor she would take him to Columbus, MS and get him a hotel room until his family could come to get him. She made sure he had something to eat. He was able to get some rest for a while. After almost 24 hours, the gentleman was reunited with his family.

Another of the SLRS members made a wish that she visit every state in the continental U.S. before rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis rendered her unable to walk. Lucy promised to make that dream come true. Fourteen years have now passed and the wish has been completed. One one of their trips in 2005, while traveling through CA, Lucy was again found helping folks. They came upon a truck with smoke coming out it. Lucy stopped and got her fire extinguisher out. She told a man to take it to the truck in case it caught on fire. The driver of the truck took the hitch loose from the trailer he was pulling. As Lucy watched the lady in the truck started screaming for help. Not realizing the truck could explode as it was in full blaze, Lucy ran to help push the truck away from the trailer. She was told to get behind the trailer, that it could explode. And it did. We know that a Guardian Angel was with Lucy when she ran so close beside this burning vehicle.

One morning, Lucy was called to come quickly to a residence near her home. She was told that this neighbor was bleeding profusely. She quickly called the SLRS president to tell him to meet her at the residence. She was the first medic to arrive. What she saw was very frightening. She told this neighbor's wife to get some quart bags of ice immediately. This gentleman had gone into the bathroom when the blood erupted spraying the walls, floor and sink. He was literally choking on his own blood. Lucy started placing the ice bags on the back of his neck, wrist, forehead and nose. All this time he was choking and could hardly breathe. After about 30 seconds, he told Lucy that he blood was slowing down and he could breathe better. She then instructed him to put ice in his mouth and hold it to the roof of his mouth as best he could. Help arrived and the patient was quickly transported to the hospital. After he came home, he commended Lucy for her quick actions.

Unfortunately, in the times we live in, many people will not help someone for fear of being sued. Not so with Lucy! While in CA in 2005, with the SLRS member that wanted to visit all the states, they were at a roadside part when Lucy saw an elderly couple trying to clean their windshield. The gentleman could hardly see to drive as bugs were covering his windshield. They only had a napkin and small glass of tea to clean it. Lucy gave them a gallon of water and roll of shop towels. Lucy told the man to leave what he did not use by her van. She had gone a few steps when she heard two ladies calling out to their Mother. The lady was slowly going to the ground. Lucy ran and caught her and eased her to the ground. She immediately identified herself and asked about the lady's health. They stated that she never went to a doctor. Picking up on that, Lucy then asked when the lady had last eaten. She told them the night before when she had last ate. Lucy told them to get something with sugar and start giving it to her. The patient was still able to follow instructions. They were able to get her in their car and take her to a doctor. No one in the park offered to help other than Lucy.

The above are just a few of the many situations worth mentioning. She has unconditional love for all living things. She has a strong committment to God, family, the SLRS and her community. She has received awards for her bravery and compassion. She has twice received the Windle Price Award from the Alabama Association of Rescue Squads; twice won awards from the South Lamar Chamber of Commerce; twice won awards from SLRS; the Glenn Parish Award; Rescuer of the 4th Quarter in 2005; Rescuer of the Year in 2005; and Rescuer of the 1st Quarter in 2006. In 2004, Lucy was in the top fifty of the Volvo For Life Awards Contest. She had other awards from years past. She lost those plaques when her home burned. These awards are only a small part of the life of this amazing lady.

Lucy serves as Captain of the SLRS doing whatever it takes to help people and give them the best service possible. She is the Safety Officer for the Pipe Line Group of Lamar County. In case a chemical spill is detected, she will be the first one called to help protect the people in this area. She is on the Community Service Program Board of Directors helping low income clients find homes and get help with their health problems. As of this writing, Lucy is helping a young couple move into a home in her community. Lucy has served the SLRS 29 years and her community longer than that, thinking of others more than herself. She is truly Our Hero!

Anyone that would like to speak with this extraordinary lady may contact her by email at iluvlucy@frontiernet.net or call 1-205-662-3203.

Coded by WIll Reeves

Typed and proofread by Sibyl Reeves

© No touchy