CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) -- Rossview High School recognized two Clarksville teens for their quick efforts in saving their father's life.
On April 4, 2023, Layla and Erin Starmack's father, Robert, accidently cut his leg while moving a dryer. He called his daughters to bring a towel, but the cut was too deep. The two girls used their JROTC and Girl Scout skills to apply a tourniquet on his leg.
The tourniquet not only stopped the bleeding, but ended up saving their father's life.
"Just hopefully we were doing it right and applying enough pressure to it," Erin recalled.
"I mean, he was really calm, so that helped us stay calm," Layla added.
Their high school JROTC gave them both the Medal of Heroism for their quick actions. This is the U.S. Army's highest honor among JROTC.
Both girls are highly decorated JROTC cadets and their advisor called them role models for other cadets. As Layla and Erin received their medals, their fellow cadets applauded them.
"You never know when you're going to need it," Erin said.
"You go into those things, you're like, 'Well, you know, I'll never use this,' but then, like, the day shows up and you need it and it's just there in your head," Layla explained.
Heroes come in many different forms, and for this father, his daughters happened to be two of them.