Trimble is now home to a bona fide hero. Jim Stark, 59, recently received the Silver Lifesaving Medal, the second-highest honor a civilian may receive from the U.S. Coast Guard.
Stark rescued a group of fishermen after their boat sank in the Gulf of Mexico on Oct. 20. Two of the men died. The other two men -- Jay Johnson, 59, and Fred Scoggins, 70 -- attended the medal-pinning ceremony on July 15 at the Coast Guard station in Mobile, Ala.
Capt. Eddie V. Mack, commander of the Coast Guard in Mobile described the occasion as "a day of remembrance, a day of mourning, a day of sorrow and a day of joy."
In presenting the award, Mack recalled the quiet pre-dawn rescue.
"While on a solo sailing trip from Pensacola, Florida, to Pass Christian, Mississippi, aboard his vessel Sea Wind, Mr. Stark was awakened at 3 a.m. by the screaming voices of fishermen," Mack said. "Suffering from severe hypothermia, four men had been in the chilly water for over 36 hours after their 21-foot sport fishing boat was swamped by waves and rapidly sank about 15 miles south of the entrance to Mobile Bay.
"Following a quick search, (Stark) located the men floating in life jackets about 50 yards away. One of the men had already died from exposure during the night.
"(Stark) dropped his sails in order to motor over to them. One of the exhausted men managed to climb up the ladder when the vessel drew near. He assisted Mr. Stark in tying a rope around another survivor who was barely conscious.
"Mr. Stark hand-cranked the sailboat's mainsail winch to lift the man out of the sea and on to the deck whereupon (the man) lost all vital signs. Mr. Stark attempted to revive him by performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation, but his valiant efforts were not successful.
"To assist the incapacitated survivor remaining in the water, Mr. Stark jumped into the swells and tied a line around him. He then climbed back aboard the Sea Wind and brought the man to safety using the winch.
"The hour-long recovery of the survivor had further exhausted the men, and their worsening condition necessitated prompt action. Mr. Stark alerted the Coast Guard who soon rendezvoused with the Sea Wind in order to rush the survivors to medical care. The Coast Guard recovered the body of the remaining man later that morning.
"Mr. Stark clearly placed his own life at risk to save his fellow mariners. His unselfish actions and valiant service reflect the highest credit upon himself and are in keeping with the highest traditions of humanitarian service."
Stark said he was honored by the Coast Guard ceremony and impressed by the medal, the military-type ribbon and the lapel pin signifying his heroism.
However, he now faces a challenge more formidable than the seas. It's a question of fashion etiquette. When is it appropriate to wear a medal?
Stark may just sidestep that dilemma.
"I suspect I won't wear them," he admitted.
