Wendy Vara, Regional Executive with the American Red Cross in New Jersey, together with Southern New Jersey Chapter Executive Director Rachel Lippoff, presented an American Red Cross Certificate of Merit to Mark Preston, Commander of VFW Post 7677. In addition, a Lifesaving Instructor Award was presented to Marguerite Haines. Friends, family, and post members were on hand as Mark and Marguerite were honored at the top of an annual Youth Awards Dinner held at the post on Saturday, April 18, 2026, in Medford, New Jersey.

Mark Preston has been the Commander of VFW Post 7677 for the past six years. During this time, Mark has welcomed Marguerite Haines to the VFW post to conduct Red Cross CPR, AED use, first aid, and Babysitting/Child Care training. Marguerite has trained the post’s bartenders and officers, including Mark.

On March 12, 2025, a celebration of life was taking place at the post when Cheryl, the deceased’s daughter, jumped up and yelled,

^{_{“Help! My son can’t breathe!”}}

Cheryl’s grown son Wayne was choking and his face went from red to purple. He couldn’t breathe and was clasping at his neck.

Mark was sitting nearby and immediately, without thinking too much about it, went into action doing exactly what he had been trained to do. Mark performed two abdominal thrusts and a large piece of chicken parmigiana flew out of Wayne’s mouth. Wayne was embarrassed, but otherwise OK. Mark kept an eye on him for the rest of the evening.

Wayne’s mother Cheryl attended the awards presentation, adding her gratitude for Mark’s action. “What was a very sad day after burying my father, could have been much worse had it not been for Mark,” said Cheryl adding,

^{_{“I was panicking, but Mark was so quick to respond, and I want to thank him again for making each new day with my son possible.”}}

Marguerite Haines nominated Mark for this Lifesaving Award and was surprised to learn that as his instructor, she would be the recipient of an American Red Cross Lifesaving Instructor Award. This is one of the highest awards given by the American Red Cross to instructors who teach the skills that help to save or sustain lives.

“Neither I, nor the members of the post, can thank Marguerite enough for what she has taught us,” said Mark.

For his actions, Mark was awarded the American Red Cross Certificate Merit. This award is given to an individual who saves or sustains a life by using skills and knowledge learned in a Red Cross Training Services course. This action exemplifies the highest degree of concern of one human being for another who is in distress.

“I am truly honored and humbled by this award,” said Mark adding,

^{_{“I highly recommend everyone take the Red Cross training for basic first aid, CPR and AED use because no one knows when such training will be necessary.”}}

The Red Cross congratulates both Marguerite Haines and Mark Preston and commends them for taking actions that helped save a life.

National Lifesaving Awards

After 115 years, the American Red Cross Lifesaving Awards program, originally conceived as one award in 1911, has since evolved into three: The Certificate of Merit, The Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders, and The Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action.

The first was awarded 1911 in recognition of first aid work rendered by railway men who helped save a life. From 1911, thousands of awards have been issued to individuals who have saved or have sustained a life, many as a direct result of American Red Cross Training Services programs.

If you or someone you know has used skills and knowledge learned in an American Red Cross Training Services course to help save or sustain the life of another individual, you can visit LifesavingAwards.org to nominate, recognize, or be inspired.