Aviano Associate Earns Hero Award for Life-Saving Actions

Aaron Stone received the Hero Award on April 25 from Italy Consolidated General Manager Donald Walter and Aviano Main Store Manager Diana Krieger. The ceremony was held inside the Aviano main store with associates and management present.

Though Stone was happy to receive the award, the circumstances that prompted Stone to jump into action were potentially fatal.

A regular lunch break at the Aviano Exchange in March turned into a scary situation that morning that stocker Francesca Molinari and stockroom manager Aaron Stone will never forget. Suddenly, Molinari stood up and began pounding her chest as her face went pale. Stone, recognizing the signs of trouble, asked her if she was OK, but Molinari couldn’t speak. She was choking.

Stone gave Molinari a couple of firm pats on the back to no avail. Stone, an Air Force Veteran, used first aid knowledge he had acquired during his military service to perform the Heimlich maneuver. After the third attempt, the food was dislodged from Molinari’s airway, allowing her to breathe again.

After a few sips of water and some deep breaths, Stone asked Molinari whether she was all right again, and this time, she was able to respond that she was OK.

“It all happened pretty quickly,” Stone said. “After it was done, I realized what had happened, and it was a very scary feeling for me.”

Stone had taken several self-aid and buddy care courses while serving in the Air Force from 1999 to 2005. He also earned a Red Cross First Aid certification through the Exchange in 2011, when he worked for the Aviano Express. Though Stone had gone through extensive first aid training, this was the first time he had ever had to save someone in need.

Molinari was grateful to her teammate.

“I have asthma and difficulty swallowing,” Molinari said. “This has happened to me before. I tried to remain calm, though this could have been a potentially life-threatening situation.”

Stone and Molinari have been working together since 2010 and had formed a friendly bond, making this an emotional event for Stone.

“It was scary at the time, but I’m glad I was there,” said Stone. “The situation later left me teary-eyed because of how long we have been working together.”

“It is an honor to have him as our hero,” Walter said. “We are grateful for Aaron’s quick action. He embodies the ‘family serving family’ core value by looking out for those around him.”