Lee Erwin Reporting
lerwin@clarksvillenow.com
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Marsha Blackburn, U.S. Representative for the 7th District in Tennessee stopped by Clarksville High School Tuesday, January 21 for a very special presentation to one of the school’s teachers.
Jim Snider was honored for his lifesaving efforts on August 28, 2011 when he and another man, Peter Weatherford, saved the lives of two Clarksville teenagers, Tyler Farrow and Matthew Williams by pulling them from a burning vehicle. Two other teens, Jack Amos and Amy Stringer were killed when the vehicle crashed on Rossview Road.
Both Snider and Weatherford received Carnegie Hero Medals for their actions. The Carnegie Hero Fund awards medals in the United States and Canada to those people who risk their lives saving the lives of others.
After Blackburn read the Carnegie proclamation for the medal Snider talked about the award. “It’s a great honor and it’s a great blessing that sometimes your actions are seen but it also can be embarrassing because that wasn’t my intent. I was trying to help and it just turned out this way,” Snider said.
After reading a proclamation from the U.S. Congress, Blackburn had this to say about the presentation “I know that it’s bittersweet for him and we’re so pleased to be able to add to the honor,” said Blackburn. Blackburn added that Weatherford would be recognized with a proclamation for his award at a later date.