MORGANTOWN - Men who rescued three children from the burningremains of their house after a gas explosion leveled it havereceived a Kiwanis international award for heroism. The five menreceived the Robert P. Connelly Medal in a ceremony Saturday.
Gene Tritchler, Tom Konchesky, Camille Mikalik were on their wayhome from work at Mylan Pharmaceuticals when the explosion occurredon Nov. 7. Bill Brown stopped on his way to vote and Alan Fortneysped from his work at Morgantown Transmissions nearby to pull outthe children.
The children saved were 9-year-old twins Robert and Rachel, and 6-year-old Shannon.
Their mother, Theresa Halbritter, said, "I thank God every day,"she said, pausing to compose herself, "for allowing me to keep mymost precious gifts, my children, Rachel, Robert and Shannon. Idon't know if I could stand up here today except for the love andthe strength my children have given me through all of this.
"I'd like to thank the guardian angels sent by God to protect myangels," Halbritter said. "I want to thank them for their bravery,their heroism and their act of kindness. It would have been so easyfor them to just walk by."
The explosion was caused by leaking furnace gas.
The five men from Morgantown were one of 10 internationalrecipients of the award this year.
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