In your city resides two wonderful people who have gone out of their way to help perfect strangers. Their kindness has touched us and I’d like others to know about them.
On July 24, 2004, while on a March of Dimes run, our son-in-law (a husband, father and loved one) was killed on M-15 while riding his motorcycle for this benefit as he did for others. Mark and Erin Berard were a car or so behind him and so witnessed this horrible accident.
Mark, a medic, stopped and immediately started emergency care. Sadly, Ernie was too severly injured and passed away that beautiful Saturday on the roadside.
We later heard about a medic who stopped and gave aid – who was upset because he could not save him. We did not know who he was nor did the lady who told us about him. We so much wanted to thank him and also ask just what happened to our loved one but did not know how to even begin to find him.
The day Ernie was laid out I saw a couple standing by him. I approached and asked if they were friends or co-workers, to which Mark replied, ‘I’m the medic.? I could not contain my tears, even today, at this thought that two beautiful people came a long distance, searched for Ernie’s name and where he was laid out and come.
Mark and Erin felt they could give some closure to Ernie’s family – who so desperately needed to know about his final moments and we really did not know what exactly happened.
Although we are devistated by this horrible event, it brought some comfort to know that a medic was right there to help him. We are so grateful to both of them for giving of themselves to people that had never met.
Thank you just doesn’t seem to cover it but it is given with all our hearts. We will never forget this act of kindness. They will always have a place in our heart.
The family of Ernie Durieux