It has recently come to my attention that the first civilian rescuer to arrive at the crash site via airboat, Robert Marquis, now 88-years old is suffering from ill health and financial distress. For 35 years, Mr. Marquis has been an unsung hero of the Eastern Airlines Flight 401 tragedy. In the dark of the night, on December 29, 1972, Robert Marquis navigated his personal airboat through the sawgrass and debris of the plane to be the first person to render aid to the crash victims. Without concern for his personal safety, Robert Marquis waded through hydraulic fluid filled water, choked with jagged metal and debris to free passengers still strapped into their seats. Mr. Marquis braved the burning fuselage to free trapped and injured victims. In doing so, he sustained burns to his arms, legs and face. It was Mr. Marquis who used the headlamp that only a few minutes before he had been using for catching frogs, to signal and direct the first arriving Coast Guard helicopter to the crash site. Through the night and into the next day Robert Marquis used his airboat to shuttle rescuers, medical personnel and victims to and from the crash site to awaiting ambulances. With much regret, it has been learned that, to date, Mr. Robert Marquis has yet to be recognized forr his heroic actions. With Mr. Marquis health waning and with 2007 being the 35 anniversary of that ill-fated night in the Everglades, a group of airboat sportsmen and enthusiasts are planning a event to honor Mr. Marquis. A description of Mr. Marquis actions can be found at: http://eastern401.googlepages.com/crash2 I would like to take this opportunity to make the subscribers to this site aware of proposed upcoming event. The time and place have yet to be determined, but it has been proposed that the event be held at the Miami-Dade Firefighter's Memorial Building, in Doral. The proposed time frame of the event is the first week in December. All interested parties are invited. This event will deliver a long over due thank you to a man who was responsible for saving so many lives that night in the Everglades. In addition, it could prove to be a springboard for getting a memorial to the victims of Flight 401 erected. The participation of survivors and family members of those aboard Flight 401 in this event to honor Mr. Marquis is encouraged and will be greatly appreciated. Financial support to make this event happen will be accepted. For further information contact Robert via email at: h2oairrsq@aol.com or by phone at: 941-866-5554.
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