“It’s what we do”

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Nathanial Taylor
  • 167AW/PA
Martinsburg, W.Va. --  When Tech. Sgt. Anthony Faiano stopped at the Inwood, W.Va., McDonald's with his family on the morning of July 28, he never thought he would be using his military training to help a fellow customer.
Faiano, an aircraft mechanic with the 167th Airlift Wing, was with his family on their way to the beach and decided to stop for breakfast. While waiting to place his family's order, he noticed another customer slumped over a table and immediately rushed to the man and rendered assistance.
"We were on our way to North Carolina and decided to stop in and grab a of couple egg sandwiches," Faiano said. "While I was waiting to order, my family came around the corner followed by another customer who was pointing back behind him."
"I poked my head back around the corner and see this guy face down on the table with his drink just spilled everywhere," he said.
According to Faiano, he immediately rushed to the man and began attempts to wake him.
"I pulled him up from the table and tried to get him to wake up," Faiano said. "He finally woke up a little bit and I asked him his name and if he knew where he was."
The man had no idea where he was but was able to tell Faiano his name.
"I asked him if he had a medical condition and he told me he had diabetes," Faiano said. "So I asked him when the last time he ate was and he told me he hadn't eaten since the day before. I asked him if he had a diabetic crash kit and he said no, so I had one of the employees get him some orange juice."
Faiano had instructed another customer to call 911 when he first noticed the man slumped over the table and knew that more help was on the way.
"At that point I was able to get him to sit up on his own and had him drinking some of the orange juice," Faiano said. "He was talking to me and seemed to be getting better so I thought he was fine."
Adding, "I found out later when the paramedics arrived and did their tests that he was not fine and they ended up taking him to the hospital."
Faiano credits his quick-thinking and willingness to act to the training and experiences he has received as a military member.
"I was a Self Aid and Buddy Care instructor in the Air Force for several years and also taught CPR for a while," Faiano said.
"The training that I have received in the Air Force gives me the ability to see a situation and just act," he said. "Not everyone is able to react like that in a difficult situation. I just happened to be there and was able to react."
While he realizes what he did was important, Faiano doesn't want people to make a big deal about it.
"I'd rather have the wing get the credit, that's where I got my training and skill set from," Faiano said. "It is always good for people to see the positive things we do. We as military members should always be giving back to the community as much as possible."
Adding, "It's just what we do as military members."
According to Chief Master Sgt. Ronald Glazer Sr., the 167th Airlift Wing's command chief, Faiano's actions are a testament of the skills, training and personnel available in the Air National Guard.
"Every human being on this Earth exists, but true heroes like Staff Sgt. Faiano make it a better place," Glazer said. "He used his Airman skills to promptly evaluate the situation and act to help save a life. We sometimes take the skills that the Air Force teaches us for granted."
Adding, "The wing is proud of his unselfish efforts to be ready to serve both on and off duty. He represents the 167th Airlift Wing with true honor."