Heroes honored with wreaths at Houston National Cemetery

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Veterans are being remembered this holiday season with wreaths at Houston National Cemetery.

Thousands of people attended Saturday morning's ceremony, which included a moment of silence and a flyover in honor of the dead as part of National Wreath Day.

Volunteers placed nearly 40,000 wreaths on the graves of local veterans.

The annual Wreath Day started at Arlington National Cemetery 20 years ago and is now observed across the country.

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Hero girl, 7, honored for saving grandfather's life

(From left to right) Anthony Victorino, Jr., Maggie Miksch and Mary Vitek, CEO for Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council. Maggie, age 7, received the Girl Scout Medal of Honor for saving the life of her grandfather Anthony. Lifesaving Awards recognize Girl Scouts from 5-17 years of age who have heroically saved or attempted to save a life. Maggie is only one of 13 girls in the nation to receive this prestigious award this year.

  DAYTON, TX (KTRK) -- A seven-year-old girl from Dayton, TX, has joined an elite group. Girl Scout Daisy Maggie Miksch received the Lifesaving Award from the Girl Scouts of the USA for her act of bravery and heroism in saving the life of her grandfather, Anthony "Elephant" Victorino, Jr.

While preparing dinner on February 15, Maggie's grandfather became ill and fell to the floor. Maggie quickly and calmly sprang into action. She called her father on his cell phone to tell him of the incident. Maggie's father immediately called 911, Maggie's mother and neighbors for help on a separate phone. He then walked Maggie through the steps of checking her grandfather's vital signs. Maggie also made sure the gas stove that her grandfather was cooking on had been turned off. When Maggie's grandfather regained consciousness, he couldn't talk clearly, catch his breath or stand up. Maggie got a small pillow that she placed under his head and instructed her three-year-old sister to get a small towel that she could dampen and place on her grandfather's forehead. When help arrived, Maggie recalled what happened and showed paramedics where her grandfather kept his medicine.

"I know I am her father, but I have never in my life been so proud of anyone," said John Miksch, Maggie's father. "At seven years of age, (Maggie) never panicked, cried or left her grandfather's side."

Lifesaving Awards have been a part of Girl Scouts since Girl Scouting began in the United States in 1912. These awards recognize Girl Scouts from 5-17 years of age who have heroically saved or attempted to save a life. There are two Lifesaving Awards -- the Lifesaving Bronze Cross is given for saving a life or attempting to save a life with risk to the candidate's own life and the Lifesaving Medal of Honor is given for saving a life or attempting to save a life without risk to the candidate's own life. Maggie earned the Lifesaving Medal of Honor.

"The mission of Girl Scouts is to build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place," said Mary Vitek, chief executive office for Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council. "Maggie is a living testament to the highest principles of the Girl Scout Promise and Law and we could not be prouder of her achievement."

In 2012, only 13 girls in the nation earned this prestigious award. Maggie was awarded hers on August 29.

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Olympic medalist Marlen Esparza honored in Pasadena

  PASADENA, TX (KTRK) -- Olympic bronze medalist Marlen Esparza was honored yesterday in a celebration outside City Hall in Pasadena.

Esparza won a bronze medal in boxing in London. Yesterday, her hometown honored her with the keys to the city. Esparza choked up while speaking to the crowd and even apologized for her performance.

"I hope that everybody who watched me and followed me is proud. I did everything that I could do. I know it's not a gold medal. I know it's a bronze, but I tried really hard," she said.

Esparza does plan to try for a gold in the 2016 Rio Olympics, but right now she is focusing on school and starting a clothing line.

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Houston firefighters to be honored at medal ceremony

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The Houston Fire Department is full of heroes, but HFD will honor 75 of them today who went above and beyond the call of duty over the past year.

It's the annual Medal Day Ceremony.

Firefighters will receive the distinction for rescuing citizens from home and apartment fires and for showing dedication to fellow and future firefighters.

Those who helped in last year's tragic day care fire will also be honored in the ceremony.

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Good Samaritan who helped during bus crash to be honored

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A good Samaritan is being honored today for helping 37 frantic KIPP Academy students during a bus crash in December.

First responder, Efrain Campa, worked to calm the students after the driver somehow lost control and crashed into a bar off the Hardy Toll Road. He got the students off the bus and helped the driver stay conscious until paramedics arrived.

The ceremony will be held at 1pm at the KIPP Academy campus in northeast Houston.

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Officer killed while investigating accident to be honored

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A Houston police officer killed while investigating a hit and run accident will be honored for his service this morning.

Thirty-eight-year-old Officer Kevin Will was killed when he was hit by a suspected drunk driver back in May. Officer Will is set to posthumously receive the medal of valor and life saving award.

More than 90 others will also be honored for their service to Houstonians. The ceremony is set for 10:30am at the LD Morrison Training Academy on Aldine Westfield.

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