Community Corner

National Guard Soldiers Perform CPR For Stricken Cyclist

Rescue took place on Sept. 11 in Civic Park area near Guard armory.

Sept. 11 brought a wave of emotions to all Americans with the 10-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks.

The date will carry a second wave of emotions for three California Army National Guard soldiers who responded to a distressed citizen with CPR. At last check, the National Guard reported in a news release, the unidentified, injured cyclist was being treated at a hospital.

On the morning of Sept. 11, a citizen approach the fence-line of the National Guard armory near Civic Park, asking for help. The three soldiers, who are all medics, responded to the bike trail and found a bicyclist on the ground and unresponsive.

Sgt. Jose Alves and Specialist Rene Zamora began performing CPR while Staff Sgt. Ricardo Alonso called 911. The two continued until civilian paramedics arrived and succeeded in restoring the cyclist's pulse, according to the news release.

The full text of the release follows:

While the nation took time today to remember the lives lost during the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, three California Army National Guard Soldiers jumped into action to help save the life of a civilian near their armory in Walnut Creek.

Staff Sgt. Ricardo Alonso, Sgt. Jose Alves Jr., Spc Rene Zamora with the 1-143rd Field Artillery Battalion were at drill this morning when someone approached their armory’s fence-line (near Civic Park) at 1800 Carmel Drive asking for a medic.

The three Soldiers (who are all qualified medics) immediately ran onto the bike-trail that borders the 1-143rd’s armory and found a bicyclist on the ground and unresponsive.

“This is what we are trained to do so we began an initial assessment of the individual on the ground,” said Alonso. 

“The cyclist was not breathing and had no pulse,” said Alves. 

Alves and Zamora began performing CPR while another Soldier called 9-11.  The two continued until civilian paramedics arrived on scene and were successful in restoring the cyclist’s pulse.

The three Soldiers then helped the paramedics get the injured cyclist on a litter and took him to an ambulance waiting at the scene. (At last check, the injured cyclist was being treated at a nearby hospital).

All three Soldiers are down-playing their actions as heroic by saying they were “just doing their job.”

“In the Army, we train over and over again to become competent in our jobs,” said Alves.  “That’s what I did and I am glad I was there to help.”

“For me, it’s kind of surreal considering that today, we are remembering those who died ten years ago,” said Alonso.  “This is a clear reminder about how fragile life is and it feels good that we were able to help save the life of a civilian in his time of need.”


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