Iconic 'Katrina Girl' Will Bring The Vet Who Rescued Her 12 Years Ago To Her Junior ROTC Ball
March 21, 2017
When pararescuer Mike Maroney of the U.S. Air Force picked up LaShay and her family from the waters of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the little girl gave her rescuer a big hug that he never forgot.
Maroney, who was battling PTSD at the time of LaShay's rescue, carried the photo with him on difficult deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, to remind him of that special moment.
Eventually, he tried to find the little girl who changed his life, even launching a #FindKatrinaGirl social media campaign.
Finally, 10 years after the storm, the two were reunited on the set of a TV show.
Upon their reunion, Maroney told LaShay, "You rescued me more than I rescued you."
Photo Credit: Veronica Pierce
Since that day, the former pararescuer has visited the Brown family in Mississippi, even teaching LaShay how to swim, and has spoken to LaShay on the phone weekly.
Maroney's encouragement has been so important to LaShay that she decided to join the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps or (JROTC), a pre-training program sponsored by the United States Armed Forces at Bay High School in Waveland, Mississippi.
This Saturday, LaShay, 14, will bring Maroney to her Junior ROTC ball.
"I'm going because I would do anything to repay the hug to LaShay and her family," Maroney told People. "They mean as much to me as my own."
Click Here For The Most Popular On Sunny Skyz
Couple Rescues Prairie Dog From Their Dog's Mouth, Then Decides To Adopt It
Hungry Elephant Casually Walks Into Grocery Store For Snacks In Thailand
Wild Orcas Keep Giving Humans Gifts, Leaving Experts Puzzled
My Girlfriend Gifted Me My Father’s Handwriting To Keep Forever
We Can’t Stop Looking At These Adorable Baby Loon Photos Taken On A Lake
The Funniest Dog Reactions To Hearing 'Walk' — You’ll Be Laughing Out Loud
Hero Dog Named RAMBO Scares Off Masked Robbers To Save Woman
'Am I Allowed To Be This Happy?' The Moment A Nervous Foster Dog Finally Lies In A Dog Bed
Grandma Thinks She's 60. Her Reaction To Learning She's 90 Is Priceless
Chicken Or Pigeon? The Internet Can’t Believe This Bird Is Real