Marine reunites with good Samaritan who saved his life

Рет қаралды 188,069

14 күн бұрын

Gen. Eric Smith survived the combat zone but collapsed while on a run around the Capitol. A good Samaritan named Tim LaLonde, who had run an ultramarathon that morning and happened to be nearby, did CPR for 10 minutes before an ambulance arrived. In a TODAY exclusive, Craig Melvin was there when they reunited for the first time since the medical emergency.
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#marine #goodnews #cpr

Пікірлер: 336

@reaper215 6 күн бұрын

10 minutes of CPR is absolutely NO JOKE!!! God bless this man.

@Roddy556 5 күн бұрын

You would need to be a marathon runner or something to have that much endurance

@annag5097 Күн бұрын

Doing 10 minutes of CPR after having run an ultra marathon- is even crazier

@SashaB11910G 8 күн бұрын

Doing CPR for 10 min requires an above average endurance. Good thing this guy is a marathon runner.

@emansol9588 9 күн бұрын

Coming across an unconscious person and saving their life is crazy enough. And then it just so happens to be the Commandant of the Marine Corps. What a wild story.

@dl7281 3 күн бұрын

Not to mention the Commandant being found by a CPR instructor! The stars aligned.

@UssEnterprise101 10 күн бұрын

Bro saved the Commandant of the Marine Corps!!!

@stevejohnson5477 5 күн бұрын

Semper fi

@huehuehue7308 4 күн бұрын

the amount of flexing id be doing with that under my belt..

@2panzur 3 күн бұрын

Dude will drink for free near any marine for life. Might have to go into hiding in November for his livers sake.

@UssEnterprise101 3 күн бұрын

@@2panzur haha

@CB-ke7eq 3 күн бұрын

He will have more than one meal or drink bought for him by a marine, I tell you that.

@MatthewsFav 12 күн бұрын

What a wonderful story. That CPR instructor is very humble and he is a hero for what he did. Glad the Marine will be OK

@kristoffermangila 12 күн бұрын

Not just any ordinary Marine, but the Commandant of the Marine Corps.

@8kigana 9 күн бұрын

it's great that this Marine like any soldier , sailor, airman or guard can come back to civilian life and know they are looked out for by the very people's freedom they volunteered to defend.

@Autobotmechanic 5 күн бұрын

I worked with Tim for a few years. He is one of the best guys out there and really know his stuff. It doesn't surprise me at all that he would jump into action like this, but it makes me really proud to see him getting the recognition he deserves!

@kayvillarosa7683 12 күн бұрын

Glad that a cpr instructor was able to provide immediate help until the ambulance arrived. Semper Fidelis from a former Marine.

@jacoballen3267 12 күн бұрын

Semper Fi indeed!

@shrek7188 11 күн бұрын

Even separated Marines never say former Marine. wow lol

@kayvillarosa7683 11 күн бұрын

@@shrek7188 since when? You're wrong and obviously you have never been in any military branch.

@shrek7188 11 күн бұрын

@@kayvillarosa7683 Since my brother is a retired SSGT Marine, since my dad's brother(my uncle) is a marine, dad is retired viet nam army vet, my other brother 8 years navy, me 9 years navy (almost 10). See usually the only ones who say former marine fall into these categories. Lackluster career, Dishonorable or Other Than Honorable Discharge, or they're just straight up lying. But no Marine truly proud of their service says former marine. A Marine is always a Marine!

@mattbundy4900 11 күн бұрын

I hear Former often and it sounds better than ex.

@tubeloupe8444 11 күн бұрын

CPR instructor plays a significant role in saving the life of one of America's top ranking Marines, but still has to endure "small guy" jokes from the reporter.

@TheJimprez 10 күн бұрын

He is the Commandant of the Marine Corp. So NO MARINE has a higher rank.

@DeclanMBrennan 8 күн бұрын

You're kind of missing the point which is that size doesn't matter. A small guy can save a big guy or even a child can save an adult if they have the strength to give compressions and keep going until help arrives.

@mbe3404 6 күн бұрын

General Smith could not have asked for a better response from TIm. "Just motivated"

@Bretjohnson1331 3 күн бұрын

Gen. Smith is the commandment, he gives out all orders and directives. No Marine holds nor can hold higher rank. Meaning he isn't just "one of Americans top ranking Marines" he is the top ranking Marine of the United States Marine Corps.

@seeharvester 12 күн бұрын

Finally. A good news story.

@mdpo6419 11 күн бұрын

Facts

@KOnig6027 9 күн бұрын

FACTS💀

@teresalegler2777 12 күн бұрын

Ten minutes of giving CPR is hard work! True hero and family. Well done! Glad the General is doing well. Everyone that is capable should learn how to administer CPR & Heimlic (spelling) maneuver.

@darbyheavey406 11 күн бұрын

It sure is…and on the street with no resources. Fantastic job….skills anyone can learn…

@TraceyAllen 6 күн бұрын

@@darbyheavey406coworker saved me from choking on a sandwich 15 years ago. It’s pretty awesome.

@Roddy556 5 күн бұрын

We had to do two minutes or something to get certed and it got your heart rate up (no pun intended). It's hard work. If he wasn't a marathon runner he probably wouldn't have had the stamina.

@tacticalsapper 20 сағат бұрын

This does not make him a hero. It makes him a good human and many other great things, but not a hero. A hero has to face potential great personal harm and despite that, still does the right thing. There was no great personal danger for him to face, so no, not a hero.

@red2977 4 күн бұрын

Dude runs an ultra marathon, then does CPR to save a stranger's life afterwards and he looks like the last guy you would expect to step up and do this. 🤣What a great and humble guy.

@steiner554 11 күн бұрын

The humility of the cpr trainer.

@Fromthasouth13 8 күн бұрын

*Highest Ranked Marine in the Marine Corps! Saved the Commandant’s life! Salute to that Gentleman!

@Daiseehead 11 күн бұрын

A handshake!!!?? Saving someone’s life warrants a hug, IMO.

@mav40420 11 күн бұрын

Marines hug other Marines and family. It’s kind of a cult thing

@leviharrison4127 11 күн бұрын

He's a marine. They don't do emotion in public.

@bobbie4904 11 күн бұрын

cmc is wearing his uniform .... according to marine corps uniform regulations , not allowed

@nplus1watches35 11 күн бұрын

that’s OK, Mrs CMC more than made up for it with her warm hug. She understood exactly what was going on and what Tim LaLonde meant to her and her family.

@NowYourMad 10 күн бұрын

He probably did behind the camera and probably shed a tear too. Everything doesn't need to happen on camera .

@thelegionisnotamused8929 9 күн бұрын

Hey Tim, thanks for keeping our Commandant around. Respect. Semper Fidelis.

@jeandelaney8080 12 күн бұрын

What an amazing story! Thank God that everyone who responded was there! Blessings to all!

@bonenbeans 10 күн бұрын

god didnt save him doctors and the cpr instructor did

@chrishickey1720 11 күн бұрын

This story motivated me to sign up for CPR training.

@USAIRFORCE621 12 күн бұрын

I followed this story from the start, and this proves that CPR definitely saves lives! Outstanding to see you back on the job General! Thanks so much to you and your wife for everything you've done to help our USMC and preserve our freedoms!

@GT5005 10 күн бұрын

We need to see more stories like this instead of the divisive garbage being spewed everywhere.

@CharlesJohnson-yd9ym 10 күн бұрын

Very Proud!!! Chuck in Michigan U.S. Navy Retired

@farahmedic 11 күн бұрын

Such an important reminder of the importance of CPR training and wearing ID, like Road I.D. 😺💙🐾 Semper Fi

@joesillamanrs7189 11 күн бұрын

Guy who needs CPR and CPR instructor in the same time and place...wow

@jt.8144 12 күн бұрын

CPR instructor / 50k Ultramarathoner. RAW ENDURANCE. 10 minutes straight doing compressions is not an easy feat.

@juliewick 7 күн бұрын

Tim you are such a good man!! Your humility and quiet strength are truly inspiring!! ❤

@jameshutchins6077 11 күн бұрын

He was a hero’s hero. SEMPER Fi

@gabrielvazquez1691 11 күн бұрын

These are the stories that the news should keep running multiple times. Show society that there's still good around us and that people just like them can really be the change.

@darbyheavey406 11 күн бұрын

This is a great story…the USMC Marathon is a great event.

@loisbarber7023 8 күн бұрын

Tears in my eyes...and Tim - heroes come in all sizes!

@bobbie4904 11 күн бұрын

impressive that the cmc introduced himself to Tim as " Eric. " tim , you are from now on an honorary united states marine

@Matterian 4 күн бұрын

My first CPR case was a save. I was helping transfer a senior to the hospital and he coded right in front of me. I loved saving lives. I loved being an EMT.

@brendasaunders4956 11 күн бұрын

Yes, never underestimate the value of what you mean to other people

@kevindelaney1951 11 күн бұрын

Decent people who come to the aid of others in dire circumstances are always to be recognized.

@nigelkhan9278 11 күн бұрын

Semper FI Commandant. We should make this extraordinary individual a Marine.

@jaymag87 10 күн бұрын

There is a second side of this story. Eric and I were classmates at Texas A&M and in the Aggie Band together. We had a classmate that had virtually the same thing happen to him in 2017. He had taken and passed a stress test that morning. That afternoon he took his kids to soccer practice. While there he also decided to go for a run. Eric was found quickly. Dale was not. MAJ Dale Crockett, MD is buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. I thank God that Mr. LaLonde and his family found Eric and the Mr. LaLonde knew what to do. I wish Dale had stayed around the soccer fields. He might still be here today.

@jamialmedia1102 12 күн бұрын

OUTSTANDING!!! Hats off to Tim LaLonde!! And a speedy recovery to CMC Gen. Eric Smith!! Great story🙂

@stevenwalker4181 11 күн бұрын

I can’t tell you how happy I am to see Gen Smith is doing well and very thankful to the Good Samaritan and the medical personnel who helped him. He and his family are incredible people.

@Harley_Vampy_Sis_Quinn 12 күн бұрын

Bless All Those in this story. Just goes to show you kindness,compassion and more is appreciated and valuable. If you can help someone, do so. It might just be you, that might need that kindness some day.

@kodoklengket 11 күн бұрын

Yup...this also shows that it takes a lot to make the world go round, we all have our roles no matter how small or large. If we trust each other, the world is a wonderful place. These people don't know each other but they all answered the call to save a fellow human being. Kudos to pure kindness.

@richardannaken 11 күн бұрын

The general is very blessed that wonderful man and others took care of him 👍

@vernamendiola1573 12 күн бұрын

Standard 3 mile run. Yup, he's a Marine. I am proud daughter and mom of a Marine.🫡 Thank God that man was there. Miracles do happen.😇 Un Marine like 😂

@mario3804 11 күн бұрын

Outstanding great story, General Smith is a great Marine and a great American, thank you Tim for being a great person and saving a life.

@claynog101 11 күн бұрын

Finally. A good story

@gardnert1 Күн бұрын

Tim is a hero. It could have been anyone's life and he'd be the same hero.

@gew9487 12 күн бұрын

A huge thank you to all the rescuers and medical staff!!! A miracle!!! Blessings to this Marine, his family, his rescuers and medical personnel!!!❤❤

@moonshoes11 12 күн бұрын

No magic required.

@AA-xo9uw 11 күн бұрын

@@moonshoes11 Aren't you late for your cross burning?

@moonshoes11 11 күн бұрын

@@AA-xo9uw who burns crosses?

@jamesringo7070 6 күн бұрын

@AA-xo9uw pretty sure the cross burners are a part of a more underground group.

@jasonheath4266 9 күн бұрын

This is what makes America America. Everyday heroism.

@user-hm3lu4ri5f 7 күн бұрын

The CPR instructor was in the right place at the right time!

@doctorsuave 8 күн бұрын

CPR needs to be mandatory in all high schools. Thank god this man was there.

@michellemiles9966 12 күн бұрын

He's right, just one event leading up to that moment that day could have changed the outcome. This was a divine appointment and God provided. Oo-rah and God bless.

@blueturtle1719 12 күн бұрын

Amen

@chuckbrandon627 9 күн бұрын

SHOCKING that his heart valve issue was not detected in decades of Marine Corps medical exams

@ronchang9791 22 сағат бұрын

It can be weird. I was born with a hereditary valve disease, and there was no evidence of it, until it randomly malfunctioned in my 30s and went to the ER. It required a procedure involving burning tissue in that valve to fix it.

@senseinammartialarts 11 күн бұрын

Respect to all these humble people 🙏

@tnorthrup2711 12 күн бұрын

Great job! Our collegiate cert CPR class required us to provide compression CPR for 5 min straight in a scene created event. Best CPR class I had, as an already certified CPR student. While doing chest compressions the instructor walked up on the scene as a panicked son worried about his dad, getting in the way. Instructor wanted to see how we handled it. Called out switch with person doing breaths and removed the instructor, handed to a guy in the crowd, calmed him down. Then proceeded to switch back to compressions. Great training!

@robertdillactor 10 күн бұрын

Tim and Eric...great job! In all seriousness tho, absolutely amazing. God bless that man.

@kkuenzel56 11 күн бұрын

This story does restore my faith in humanity.

@HRBJHD 12 күн бұрын

It's so good to hear these folks give credit to those who were helpful, and not claim a miracle.

@moonshoes11 12 күн бұрын

This. 👍 Thank you.

@philipschifano5876 12 күн бұрын

The Miracle is IN those folks! Believe

@moonshoes11 12 күн бұрын

@@philipschifano5876 How terribly offensive. People can be good without your magic.

@pep590 12 күн бұрын

@@philipschifano5876 Amen brother.

@KyleMcCullough-dl3ib 12 күн бұрын

@@moonshoes11yes people can be good without magic, but not without the love of Christ. Believe

@johnriddington9514 4 күн бұрын

Mannnn you could not pick a more 'don't judge a book by its cover' person. I'm floored, and so utterly humble the first thing he says about saving the Commandants life is "I think there's a lot of people that contributed, I'M VERY PROUD OF MY FAMILY". You walk into a room and you have the most Marine Marine possible, a distinguished heart surgeon, and a small, meek, quiet guy who's an ultra marathon running literal life-saver!

@manuelochoa9266 5 күн бұрын

I think the guy who saved the general should be made an honorary Marine!!! Thats to show that life is guaranteed, the general has been in wars always been in great shape and he had a heart attack! This story is amazing! For the grace of God it wasn't the general's time to die and God put a CPR instructor in his way! Praise the Lord and God bless our Marines! OooRaaah!!!!

@namelessnick9791 10 күн бұрын

The news needs to start reporting more good news stories like this.

@theuscivicsnerd7070 9 күн бұрын

He has the exact same heart condition I have. This also draws attention the importance of early detection and screening as many like Gen Smith go most of their lives asymptomatic with no real symptoms. I was lucky it was noticed right away at birth so it was treated quickly and monitored. So much has advanced in understanding and treating it the last couple decades. Learn CPR it could save a life, also get screened.

@mitchyoung93 8 күн бұрын

Pretty sure there's a medal specified for civilians who perform a great task on behalf of the military...Mr Smith should be put in for that.

@leviharrison4127 11 күн бұрын

WA State has one of the highest recovery rates for cardiac patients because there are so many CPR trained individuals here. A couple hours of your time every other year could quite literally save a life, if you haven't done one yet you should. And if you have then you should consider taking a stop the bleed course as well. Prayers to the General.

@Base5700 10 күн бұрын

im 25 and when i was in school they had a cpr instructor come and teach us all how to do it and what signs to look out for. the instructor said they started doing classes in schools because a kid has saved one of his family members

@EvilBeast979Triple6 12 күн бұрын

Semper Fi Devil Dog

@George-lo7eq 9 күн бұрын

God Bless that man!

@fitzt70 10 күн бұрын

To Carson’s point, CPR certification only lasts for 2 years. I’m over due for renewal by 3 years. Luckily I haven’t been called to duty but need to get prepared just in case.

@rodhoover9158 12 күн бұрын

Wonderful story.

@monicarust2383 12 күн бұрын

❤❤❤❤Great story!!

@FFEMTB08 9 күн бұрын

Hands only cpr… it’s not hard to learn. Learn it, and never be scared to step in and do it.

@vigilantobserver8389 9 күн бұрын

I hope you make a full recovery, Commandant! Semper Fi, Oorah! I wish they would standardize the CPR method. It's confusing. As a defense contractor, I had to take the CPR module training every year. Of the last 4 years I worked overseas with the USAF, they changed the CPR method 3 times!

@jakemenard2593 8 күн бұрын

I've been trained in CPR ever since I was probably 12, I'm 45 now, and it really is something everyone should have training in. It doesn't take a lot to learn. Performing CPR on a person for 10 minutes straight seems like a short time, but performing CPR for ten minutes is truly exhausting. What the dude did was no small feat.

@chirho100 8 күн бұрын

Marines protect US citizens, it is nice to see a citizen return the favor to the Marines.

@joesph9748 12 күн бұрын

Just motivated! I love that, he was motivated to give to another person. Well done

@Eskey__ 12 сағат бұрын

Crazy how everything just lined up for everyone that day. Have a great day everyone.

@stephenmorton8017 11 күн бұрын

uplifting behaviour! thanks.

@cryptopappy6408 2 күн бұрын

I'm 101 and I'm just so happy for the General and his family. Good people exist. I'm so happy that guy was there and TRAINED! Just HUGS to all. My cancer may be killing me but I'm happy to see this story! HuRah ( probablyy didn't spell that right but it's been 50 years ) Y'all get the point. I'm usually on point. Just so happy for the Gen and so happy for the man that saved his life! I've saved a few. Glad to know I'm not the only one who cares! HUGS!

@1224dlc 12 күн бұрын

That was God putting those two individuals together! God bless those people who came upon the man who protected our country!

@sheepnationnetwork4241 12 күн бұрын

Amen!!!

@leonardodalongisland 12 күн бұрын

Really? Why didn't your god just prevent the heart attack in the first place!!!!!!?

@TheOne45Peoples 12 күн бұрын

stuff can happen that’s horrible but that isn’t ok to say oh something bad happened so I don’t believe in God

@jeremycox2983 12 күн бұрын

Amen God doing what he does best protecting his children

@jeremycox2983 12 күн бұрын

@@TheOne45Peoples it falls under the Free Will that God gave us

@stevengibbins8350 9 күн бұрын

This story restores ones faith in humanity. Bravo to all involved.

@Matt0427 10 күн бұрын

Good work man! I'm so happy with the world when I see stuff like this.

@jackjohnson8244 12 күн бұрын

God bless our Civilians.

@isisemkeb 8 күн бұрын

What a gentle timid Hero. A great human being.

@philipschifano5876 12 күн бұрын

How crazy is it that the man who finds him. Is a CPR trainee. That is how god works. Amazing ALL the things that had to come together for it to happen

@tommybrannon 10 күн бұрын

You would have thought he been a little happier to meet the the man who saved him!

@mattmckinney9820 2 күн бұрын

For everyone saying he didnt hug him, appearance's had to be kept for the press and all. Im sure he got a huge hug the moment they where in private company.

@RetiredTop43 11 күн бұрын

Glad to see Gen. Smith back on his feet. S/F

@your_royal_highness 11 күн бұрын

General’s angels were looking out for him

@r.b.somers2052 7 күн бұрын

Great story. Thanks.

@davidelias7439 10 күн бұрын

Amazing! God Bless!

@MrElliotc02 8 күн бұрын

This is a good story...more please.

@JulesA-C 8 күн бұрын

That's amazing. He is so very very lucky.

@lisecball161 12 сағат бұрын

One more Hero among us.🙏❤️.

@EvilQueenMorticia 12 күн бұрын

That's awesome ❤

@Pmoore180 10 күн бұрын

Good job, kid!

@telleyvestal3351 10 күн бұрын

I think that good samaritan will be another future Marine 👉👍

@areyouoffended6616 6 күн бұрын

Right place, right time.

@jacobkeppler1984 4 күн бұрын

What a great story

@jimheckert5383 11 күн бұрын

America the Beautiful. 🇺🇸🍀🇺🇸

@Rambojr045 11 күн бұрын

Go cuzzo!!

@williamgray9318 8 күн бұрын

Outstanding job. He saved the Commandant’s life. RAH. And side note: is it just me or am I the only one who just stares at the Commandant’s rack?

@CC-kl4nh 8 күн бұрын

Wooooow. The stars were aligned.

@lyngruen8607 2 күн бұрын

SEMPER FI 🇺🇸 BRAVO YOUNG MAN! NOTHING IS COINCIDENCE 😮☝️💖

@ClubIzak 11 күн бұрын

Awesome

@Gxdly18 12 күн бұрын

I understand this I have a bad heart valve also and I'm 18 and it prevents me from working out a bunch which I used to do until it got a bit worse, I always wanted to be physically but its hard with this heart condition i will need surgery at some point in my life and I'm skinny fat but I always wanted to be lean and I can't overdue myself when running or working out.