Hero honored by Marine Corps league

WESTFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - You might call U.S. Marine Veteran Javish Garcia of Springfield a natural born hero. Saving lives for this man seems to come quite naturally.

The Westfield river valley Marine Corps league honored Javish Garcia Sunday for heroism.

The former Marine corps Lance Corporalr, twice last winter saved the lives of would be suicide victims at Tower Square in downtown Springfield, where Garcia's a security guard. He was to have been honored for heroism last month.

However, then came the Tornado, which damaged Garcia's home in Springfield's Maple High Six Corners neighborhood. His courage surfaced again when he and his teenage daughter Kaitlyn rescued a neighbor trapped in the wreckage of his home. Garcia spoke with 22News about his courageous actions.

Javish Garcia said, “You don't think just act you know, instincts, you just act, you just react. My wife's family lived there for many years, we've been on this street for 40 years, so my daughter and the kids all raised their, it's all we know, the house.”

Garcia's daughter Kaitlin shared the pride of her dad's marine league honors this weekend. She’s mighty proud of this retired marine.

Kaitlin Byrd said, “I'm honored, someone in the house such a great role model. Grew up in the family and have such a tight family bond. It showed me a lot how to treat people, how to react in a situation.”

Further honors may await this courageous security guard. For one thing 22News will recommend Javish Garcia to the Pioneer Valley Red Cross as a potential hometown hero.