This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, in which at least 206 people with ties to Massachusetts perished. The first flights to be hijacked took off from Boston Logan International Airport. Madeline “Amy” Sweeney, a flight attendant on American Airlines Flight 11, displayed extraordinary cool under extreme pressure during the hijacking. The Massachusetts 9/11 Fund Blog is profiling the Sweeney Award recipients for the past quarter century every week leading up to the naming of the 2026 Honoree(s) at the 25th Anniversary Commemoration on September 11th.

Grandmother helps save man from drowning at Dunn State Park

Annette Szivos was at Dunn State Park with her grandchildren on June 7th, 2021, when she heard there was a person in distress in the lake. Szivos jumped into the water and with the help of another bystander, Michael Morrison, kept the man's head above the surface and brought him to shore.

"His arms were just flailing and I could see him going under and then struggling to get himself back up, " Szivos said. She asked a woman to watch her grandchildren, took off her shoes and jumped in the water.

Szivos and Morrison were not dressed for swimming on that day. Szivos, 66, said she brought her grandchildren to play on swings. She stopped to use the restroom when a woman came up and told her someone was in distress in the water. Officials said Andre LePage fell into the water while fishing.

“When I reached him, (LePage) was still talking, saying, ‘Please help me, I don’t want to drown, I don’t want to die,’” Szivos told The Gardner News. “So I got his arm and I was able to keep him afloat and I started yelling for help. I knew I couldn’t swim this man to shore because he’s a big man.”

Morrison, who has worked as a lifeguard, jumped into the water, and the pair managed to get the 6 foot-2 Vietnam War veteran to shore, where he received medical attention from EMTs who were called to the scene. LePage had suffered several brain bleeds, according to officials, and almost certainly would have drowned had not Szivos and Morrison acted as quickly as they did.

Gov. Charlie Baker also recognized Morrison with a special citation for his life-saving action during the Sweeney Award ceremony.

Szivos said she felt both humbled and honored to be recognized for the actions she took on that day. “I feel honored because my family is so proud, it makes me feel good, and it’s an incredible honor,” Szivos said.

Next week: Easthampton man rescues wheelchair-bound neighbor from house fire

Madeline “Amy” Sweeney Award for Civilian Bravery (2021)

Madeline “Amy” Sweeney Award for Civilian Bravery (2022)

Madeline “Amy” Sweeney Award for Civilian Bravery (2020)