By RAUL GARCIA JR | The Mercedes Enterprise

Mercedes ISD Superintendent Carolyn Mendiola told her story to an audience of first responders about the time she wrecked during a routine Sunday motorcycle ride with her husband.

“We were on our way home and something blew in the way of the motorcycle,” Mendiola said. “We swerved to avoid it and we flew off the motorcycle.”

The ride went totally wrong and ended with them thrown on an expressway injured, in pain and in the middle of traffic. 

“I remember laying there and within minutes two amublance and Mission PD had responded,” Mendiola said. “ I was crying, I was scared, I was hurt and with the calmness of all the first responders they put me at ease.”

She said it was a first responder who gave her comfort while assisting her, and it was help she said she would never forget and always appreciate. 

Mendiola told her story at  a prayer breakfast ceremony held in appreciation for the heroics and hard work first responders do while putting their lives on the line to save lives and serve the community.

The ceremony, called Prayer – First Responders Appreciation Ceremony  is an annual community gathering with first responders held recently to acknowledge their work, bravery and commitment to keeping the community safe.

“I think it’s awesome,” said Hidalgo County Sheriff Division Chief Oscar Montoya. “I have been coming for the last five yesrs and it always feels good when somebody prays for you. We are really blessed to live in a community that supports first responders.”

The annual event attracted local law enforcement and community members.

The Mercedes High school Culinary Club prepared breakfast for the event.

The creemoney began at 9 a.m. and was officiated by Prayer Committee Chair Alonzo Calvillo.

Mercedes Mayor Henry Hinojosa and City Manager Sergio Zavala also addressed the audience.

Local pastors including Pastor Ubaldo Jacques, Pastor Jose Luis Mendoza, Rev. Dr. J. Rene Vega, Pastor Rene Garcia, Pastor Lori De Los Santos, Pastor Joshua Reyes, and Pastor Juan De Los Santos each recited a prayer for all first responders and their families.

“Things like this drive the message home that people care about us, and you can never go wrong with prayer,” Montoya said. “You can’t say enough of what first responders go through. People don’t realize we have men and women in the trenches fighting fires, murders, burglars, in the pursuit of people not wanting to get arrested and that happens everyday. Thank you to the spouses, the family, children and parents of first responders. We know what is going on, but they don’t. That prayer is for us, and for them as well.”