VIDEO: In an emergency situation, seconds matter. Sometimes the difference between life and death can depend on the kindness of strangers, calm under pressure and a clear mind in the chaos: all traits you would expect from a Marine.
"Marines run to the sound of a gun. Like, it's just, it's in our blood," Staff Sgt. Jeff Belko said.
What happened the morning of Nov. 7 near 9th and I streets SE wasn’t a combat situation, but a life was hanging in the balance. Shortly after riding past the guard tower outside the Marine Barracks, a woman on a scooter was hit by a car and pinned underneath.
Marines in the guard tower rushed to her side and put out a call for help. Belko was one of several who answered.
"All I could see was her leg sticking out from under the car and probably from her midsection and down was outside," Belko said.