Photo By Lance Cpl. Tavairus Hernandez | Robert Tertzakian, left, retiree, thanks Gunnery Sgt. Raymond Andresen, a Marine with...... read more read more
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The Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal was presented to a MALS-29 Marine for his actions in saving a heart attack victim on Magnolia Greens Golf Course in Leland, North Carolina, Sept. 15.
Robert Tertzakian, a retiree, attended a golf tournament for disabled American Veterans at the Magnolia Greens Golf Course where he had a heart attack and collapsed. Gunnery Sgt. Raymond Andresen was near his position and reacted swiftly to the situation.
"I look over towards Robert, and I see him lock up and fall backwards," said Andresen. "I checked his head and felt blood. He was also shaking pretty badly so I checked to make sure he wouldn’t choke on his tongue when he took a deep breath and became unresponsive."
Andresen said immediately following Tertzakian’s unresponsiveness he began applying CPR. He attempted to use the defibrillators, but he and fellow golfers had no power source so they began a rotation for applying CPR until the proper first responders arrived on the scene.
"When I was doing it, performing CPR, I was honestly thinking I hope this works out," said Andresen. "I hope everything is good."
Tertzakian’s eyes shimmered in the light with tears as recalled his thoughts after the incident.
"I often say I’m not afraid of dying I’m afraid of what I’m going to miss," said Tertzakian. "The thing that bothered me the most on that day, was that I didn’t say goodbye to my wife."
Tertzakian displayed a smile afterwards and declared that he would use his chance to volunteer and speak with people who survived heart attacks.
"I was talking to two of my friends when it all became nothing, I went down," said Tertzakian. "Gunnery Sgt. Andresen immediately jumped I was told. He is the reason I am alive, he is my guarding angel."
| Date Taken: | 09.15.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 09.22.2016 10:13 |
| Story ID: | 210260 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 96 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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