He thought he was too old to be an EMT. At 76, he’s saved countless lives.; The Washington Post, August 1, 2025

Kyle Melnick, The Washington Post ; He thought he was too old to be an EMT. At 76, he’s saved countless lives.

"The day a man collapsed in a parking lot in Bethesda, Maryland, EMT Ed Levien rushed in an ambulance to the scene, where the injured man repeatedly called for Jesus.

“Jesus isn’t here,” Levien recalled telling him. “You’ve got to put up with me.”

The man looked at Levien’s mustached face, his thinning gray hair and his round glasses and replied, “Okay, Pops.”

That’s how Levien, one of the oldest EMTs in Maryland, got his nickname a few years ago in the volunteer job that — to his surprise — has become an unintended second career and reshaped his identity.

“I never had an impact on anyone until I started doing this,” Levien, who previously worked in advertising, told The Washington Post.

Levien began working as a volunteer EMT when he was 65 years old, far surpassing the age of his colleagues at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad. After recovering from an unexpected injury — with the help of strangers — he decided to help others for as long as his body would allow."

Facebook Reunites Family With Baby Boy Missing In Nice Terror Attack; Huffington Post, 7/15/16

Lee Moran, Huffington Post; Facebook Reunites Family With Baby Boy Missing In Nice Terror Attack:

[Kip Currier: It was timely seeing this story today, in the wake of the horrific Bastille Day terror attack in Nice, France yesterday. A trainer at my gym this morning ruefully said that he was starting to think social media may be being used for more bad purposes than good ones. This story reminds us that technology, specifically digital age tech, has positive applications too.]

"A baby boy who went missing Thursday amid the carnage in Nice, France, was reunited with his family the next day after Facebook posts appealing for help in finding him went viral...

The pastor described the turn of events as “a miracle” and hailed the power of social media in helping reunite the boy with his family. “Social media has been used for a lot of bad things as well,” she said, “but I really believe that technology can be good and used to share hope and to encourage people during this very traumatic time.”"

In a Race to Save a Man on the Tracks, a Reminder of What’s Good in the World; New York Times, 6/14/16

Jim Dwyer, New York Times; In a Race to Save a Man on the Tracks, a Reminder of What’s Good in the World:

"Ms. Tulic provided her video to Gothamist, and it has been seen more than two million times. One of the men who went onto the tracks, David Tirado, told Rebecca Fishbein of Gothamist that he had visited with the stricken man, who had no recollection of being in the subway or that a congress of strangers had gathered to save him.

“That is the greatest thing,” Ms. Tulic said. “The infrastructure in this city of millions is the people themselves providing, being there for others. Without even knowing the person, who he is, no matter what denomination he subscribes to. It was beautiful to see.”"

State Trooper Comes To The Rescue Of Stranded Superheroes; Huffington Post, 3/15/16

Lee Moran, Huffington Post; State Trooper Comes To The Rescue Of Stranded Superheroes:

"A New Hampshire state trooper came to the rescue of "Wonder Woman" and "Captain America" after their car became disabled on Interstate 93 on Sunday morning.

The costumed duo were on their way to a child’s birthday party in Hooksett when the vehicle broke down. Unfortunately, their abilities didn't extend to fixing the problem...

Sgt. Tom Lencki told the New Hampshire Union Leader that state police were "always happy to assist any other members of the Avengers or Justice League should they find themselves in need of a super colleague.""