The Lebanon Rescue Department will honor 10 year old Samantha Hebb this evening for her heroic actions in saving her 65 year old grandmother, Barbara Pierce last Tuesday, July 17th.

Barbara was in the familys small pond about their house at 108 Richardson Drive when she slipped off a floatation "noodle". Barbara, who has had recent back surgery in June, went under the water three times. The fourth time, she was completely submerged in the water and had no energy. "I started to panick when the noodle came out from underneath me. I went under three times. I thought I was going to drown that fourth time I went under, and then I felt her hand."

10 Year Old granddaughter Samantha Hebb was swimming with her grandmother when she saw her gasping for air and then go under again. "I saw my grandmother go under and swam next to her, grabbed her wrist and began to swim." Samantha was able to get her grandmother to the side of the pond, where the grandmother fell and landed on her belly and a lot of water was released from her mouth.

Both Samantha and Barbara describe the incident as the scariest thing they have ever gone through. Barbara calls her grand daughter a hero - "She's my angel. She is the only reason I am here today to talk about this."

Barbara is going to celebrate her 66th birthday on August 1st. "My grand-daughter gave me the best birthday present possible - she saved my life. We have always had quite a bond, I have taken care of her since she was a newborn. She is now my angel."

Samantha's father, Albert Hebb, says he is very proud of his daughter, who saved his mothers life. "She just learned how to swim last year from the help of Barbara's companion, Wayne Mills." Wayne is a former Coast Guard member and taught Samantha how to swim in the family pond last year.

Samantha spends 3-4 days a week at her grandmothers house in Lebanon. Her parents live in Haverhill, Mass, where she will be attending 5th grade this year.

Tonight, members of the Lebanon Rescue Department will present Samantha with a Heroism Award. State Legislatures, Senators and members of the Governors Office and US Senators and Congressman have also been invited. Local representatives are also expected to be at the ceremony this evening.

"What this little girl did is amazing. She truly is a hero and we are proud to recognize her for saving her grandmothers life." Chief Samantha Cole added.

Lebanon recently had two people drown during the Patriots Day Storm, 4 year old Sapphyre Perro and her grandmother, Donna Dube.

Lebanon Rescue also revived an 18 month old that had nearly drowned a few years ago in a family swimming pool. That child made a full recovery.

The ceremony will be held tonight at 7pm at the Lebanon Rescue Station, located on Route 202 in South Lebanon. For more information, please contact Chief Samantha Cole at (207) 608-5614 -