Guardsman a true hero

New Mexico National Guard medic Greg Holmes had the training and the courage to do the right thing when he put his life at risk to rescue the driver of a crashed and burning cement truck two years ago.

Holmes and his brother were driving through Tijeras Canyon on their way into Albuquerque when they came upon a crash involving a flatbed truck and the cement truck on Interstate 40.

Holmes said his medic experience from rescue and medevac missions aboard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters here and in Kosovo and Afghanistan kicked in.

He jumped into action and tried to pry open the burning truck’s crumpled door. A final superhuman effort burst the door open, and Holmes was able to lift the driver down to bystanders and get him away from the truck, which exploded shortly after.

The driver, Julio Ibarra of Albuquerque, had serious burns and is still recovering. Holmes blew out both shoulders and underwent several surgeries on them.

For his actions, Sgt. 1st Class Holmes recently received a Soldier’s Medal, awarded to an individual in the U.S. armed forces or an allied nation who, while serving with the U.S. Army, takes heroic action to either save a life or puts his or her life at risk of death or serious injury in a situation not involving actual conflict with an enemy. Holmes is the first New Mexico Guardsman to receive this award for a domestic rescue in at least 30 years.

The entire community should be grateful for people like Holmes, who put their own safety aside to help someone in dire need.