Courtesy Photo | From right, North Dakota Army National Guard Sgt. Kelly Grotte is presented the North...... read more read more
MINOT, N.D. — Twenty months after being found unresponsive, Doug Zabka took part in formally thanking the North Dakota Army National Guard Soldier who performed the lifesaving acts that likely saved Zabka’s life.
Sgt. Kelly Grotte, a team leader and recovery operator for the Minot-based Forward Support Company, 164th Engineer Battalion, was recognized for his heroism recently during an award ceremony at the armory in Minot. Grotte’s selfless actions earned him the North Dakota State Meritorious Service Medal, which Zabka and his family were on hand to present.
“We’re glad that we could formally recognize Sgt. Grotte’s lifesaving efforts,” said Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general. “This is just another example of the selfless service, aptitude and preparedness of the men and women who serve in the North Dakota National Guard. We’re proud of Sgt. Grotte and grateful that his valuable training was put to use in such a critical situation.”
Zabka, who has two sons that also previously served in the North Dakota National Guard, expressed his immense gratitude and pride in the organization. He also praised the Soldier who came to his rescue.
“He exemplified the Soldier’s Creed by aiding a complete stranger and never leaving a fallen comrade,” Zabka said of Grotte.
Grotte, from Des Lacs, North Dakota, is a mechanic for Progressive Diesel in Minot, but on Feb. 16, 2013 he was helping a friend repair a semi-truck at Minot Coal. While working, Grotte and his friend noticed a man slumped over the steering wheel of a nearby vehicle.
Upon reaching the car, they found Zabka unresponsive. Grotte immediately directed his friend to call 911 and summoned a bystander to help him remove Zabka from his vehicle. After removing Zabka from the vehicle, Grotte instructed another bystander to go to the end of the road and wait for the ambulance to arrive.
By this time, Zabka had no pulse and Grotte initiated CPR immediately. After performing CPR for some time, Grotte allowed his friend to take over CPR while Grotte found a phone number for Zabka’s wife, Colleen.
Grotte informed her that her husband was in trouble and asked her to meet them at the hospital. While waiting for the ambulance, Grotte instructed another individual on how to administer CPR. After 23 minutes with no heartbeat, an ambulance crew arrived and was able to regain Mr. Zabka’s pulse with the help of an automated external defibrillator.
After spending a few days in the hospital, Zabka made a full recovery and was able to go home.
Grotte credits his training experiences as a Guardsman, as well as his training as a volunteer firefighter, for giving him the skills and confidence to successfully administer lifesaving measures.
| Date Taken: | 12.17.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 12.17.2014 08:09 |
| Story ID: | 150524 |
| Location: | MINOT, NORTH DAKOTA, US |
| Web Views: | 363 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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