by SGT Austin Pearce, South National Guard
On the morning of June 12, 2017, two South Dakota Army National Guard Soldiers were at the Sioux Park track in Rapid City, S.D., for the Army Physical Fitness Test.
Since joining the Army National Guard more than 13 years ago, SGT David Rodarte had tackled and passed the APFT – which consists of two minutes of push-ups, two minutes of sit-ups, and a two-mile run – at least twice a year. SFC Grant Serna, who trains South Dakota Army National Guard recruits, oversees APFTs at least once a month. He volunteered to administer SGT Rodarte’s test that morning.
But after SGT Rodarte, completed the two-mile run to pass another APFT, he didn’t feel right. He decided to take a cool-down lap.
“He went to jog out a lap and on turn number four, he collapsed on the track,” said SFC Serna. “I ran over to him [and] he was unresponsive and wasn’t breathing. I started chest compressions and began CPR.”
SGT Rodarte, who doesn’t use tobacco, maintains a healthy diet, and exercises regularly, had suffered a massive heart attack.
Two men working out at the track rushed over to help. The three continued CPR until senior officers Jerred Younie and Mark Weyer of the Rapid City Police Department arrived.
They used an automated external defibrillator on SGT Rodarte, which SFC Serna said undoubtedly helped save his life.
Once emergency medical technicians arrived, they used the LUCAS CPR machine – which delivers automated chest compressions – on SGT Rodarte and loaded him into the ambulance. While he was being transported to the hospital, his vitals returned.
SGT Rodarte’s cardiac arrest gave doctors a chance to identify a more serious cardiovascular problem that led to quintuple bypass surgery.
“Doctors found five arteries that were between 60 to 90 percent blocked,” he said. “I also had an aortic valve replacement – that in and of itself is a traumatic experience for the body.”
Despite the complications, SGT Rodarte returned to fulfill his Army National Guard obligations and completed his two-week annual training in July.
“For me, my decision was to put on the uniform and continue doing what I do,” said SGT Rodarte, who trains and mentors SDARNG recruits. “It’s been part of the healing process for me.”
Since returning to work, SGT Rodarte has had time to reflect on the events of last June and develop a greater appreciation for those involved in saving his life.
“I realize what they did was more than just save my life,” said SGT Rodarte, a husband and father of two. “They affected my Family’s lives because they brought back somebody my wife and children need, and they also thank them.”
This past Sept. 1, the SDARNG awarded SFC Serna with the Army Commendation Medal for taking action to save the life of a fellow Soldier.
“If you look at our Founding Fathers and the documents that were a part of creating our nation, there’s an overlying umbrella that if you have the ability to help, you have therefore the responsibility to help,” said SFC Serna. “That’s my idea of Americanism.”
The Army Commendation Medal is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States other than general officers who, while serving in any capacity with the U.S. Army after Dec. 6, 1941, distinguished themselves by heroism, meritorious achievement or meritorious service.
“I’m just the guy who keeled over and had a heart attack. He’s the guy whose training from the Guard saved my life,” SGT Rodarte said. “Most people would’ve given up within a couple of minutes of chest compressions and said, ‘Man, this guy is dead.’ But he kept going.”
