Life Saved at Labor Day Parade

Labor Day parades are supposed to be simple: a celebration of community, tradition, and the signal that summer is winding down. Families line the streets with folding chairs and American flags. Kids wave at clowns and marching bands. Shriners ride in tiny cars and toss candy. It’s small-town America at its best. During the City of Marlborough’s Labor Day Parade this past Monday, an unexpected medical emergency put the Aleppo Shriners Medical Corps’ training and dedication to the test. Thanks to their swift response, a life was saved amidst the holiday celebrations!

Bros. Patrick Ventola (Left) & Jeff Myung (Right). Not pictured Bros. Carl Ohlson & Ken Murnane. 

Brother David Fink

Emergency on the Sidelines

As the parade marched through downtown Marlborough, Major Carl Ohlson Jr. of the Aleppo Shriners Uniformed Units staff heard a distress call from the crowd. He looked over to see a man on the sidelines and a Marlborough police officer already rushing to assist the spectator. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Major Ohlson quickly radioed for the Aleppo Shriners Medical Corps to help.

Rapid Response by the Medical Corps

Brother Patrick Ventola, head of the Aleppo Shriners Medical Corps, received Ohlson’s alert and sprang into action. Bro. Ventola drove a medical golf cart through the parade route to reach the scene, accompanied by two fellow Medical Corps members, Bro. Jeff Myung and Bro. Ken Murnane. As part of Aleppo’s Medical Corps, these volunteers are trained first responders who attend all parades and stand ready to provide emergency. They arrived within moments to find the patient unconscious and in serious condition.

Lifesaving Interventions

Upon arrival, the Aleppo medics immediately began a series of critical interventions to save the man’s life. They:

1. Quickly assessed the patient’s condition and checked his vital signs.

2. Moved the patient to the ground to begin treatment.

3. Recognized an overdose: Based on their evaluation, the team realized the man had overdosed.

4. Administered Narcan: They gave the patient Narcan (naloxone), a medication used to rapidly reverse opioid overdose effects, to counteract the suspected overdose.

5. Provided oxygen: Once the patient’s pulse returned after the Narcan treatment, the medics administered supplemental oxygen to help stabilize his breathing.

By the time these interventions restored the man’s pulse and breathing, Marlborough Fire Department paramedics had arrived on the scene. However, the Aleppo Shriners Medical Corps team did not simply step aside at that point. They continued to assist and monitor the patient alongside the city paramedics, ensuring he remained stable until an ambulance crew took over and transported him to the hospital.

A Life Saved

In the end, the quick thinking and professional care provided by Patrick Ventola, Jeff Myung, and Ken Murnane saved a life on Labor Day. Their heroic efforts exemplify our value of Charity, and the mission of the Aleppo Shriners Medical Corps to be ready and provide emergency medical assistance whenever needed. Onlookers and fellow parade participants witnessed the value of having trained volunteer medics on site during community events.

Massachusetts Freemasonry is proud of these three Medical Corps members, whose actions ensured that the parade attendee received timely, life saving treatment. This incident highlights how dedication, training and a willingness to come to the aid of others truly make a difference when every second counts.