SCRANTON -- Some ordinary people who did extraordinary things got some recognition on Wednesday.
The Red Cross honored people from Lackawanna County who saved a life either by being at the right place at the right time or by having the right skills.
John Kennedy of Scranton is perhaps happiest of all to be attending the American Red Cross Heroes Breakfast at the Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel.
Two years ago, almost to the day, Kennedy's future wasn't so certain. He was playing basketball at the YMCA in Dunmore as he did several times a week.
"I had no symptoms, no issues at all beforehand. We played five full-court games in a hot gym and I was actually the one who called for game number six," Kennedy recalled.
During game number six, Kennedy went into cardiac arrest. But he was there to see one of his rescuers receive a Good Samaritan award from the Red Cross.
Annie Rinaldi and two others used CPR and a defibrillator to get Kennedy's heart pumping again.
"I hope that everyone gets certified and CPR and the use of an AED because it is very important and you never know when you might need it," said Rinaldi.
"I think about it every single day, and I thank God that Annie, and Linda, and Tim Farrell were there to help me," said Kennedy.
Scranton Police Officer William Golden also received an award for something he did while not in uniform.
Two years ago on a day off, Golden was driving on Court Street when he saw a home on fire. He knew it to be a group home for people with special needs and rushed in to rescue them.
Until he got the call about the award, Golden hasn't thought about that day too much. He says he was just doing his job.
"When you are in law enforcement, you're always on duty, even though you're not wearing the uniform, you're still a cop."
In a uniform or not, the American Red Cross says there's always time to recognize the heroes among us.
