KENNESAW - Kennesaw's annual Big Shanty Festival that took place downtown April 17-18 was enjoyed by many. But for a handicapped woman bound in a motorized scooter, it nearly became the site of her death.

Fortunately for her, five Georgia State Defense Force soldiers who were working security came to her rescue when her scooter became stuck in railroad tracksas a train was approaching. By witness accounts, the five soldiers acted quickly when they picked her up - scooter included - and carried her to safety.

For their bravery, the four men and a woman were awarded the Medal of Valor, the highest decoration that a soldier in the GSDF can receive.

The recipients are: Pfc. Michelle Campbell, 38, of Woodstock; Pfc. David Carter, 40, of Acworth; Sgt. Marcus Blackwood, 38, of Sandy Springs; Sgt. Glenn Brett, 44, of Woodstock; and Staff Sgt. Robert Farmer, 62, of Kennesaw. All are members of the 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade of the GSDF in Marietta.

Receiving the medal is a rare occurrence, according to Capt. Michael Kent of Marietta, unit commander. "Nobody I spoke with can ever recall the medal being awarded," he said.

The incident happened on Sunday, April 18. The victim - whose identity is withheld for privacy - was being assisted by a gentleman across the railroad tracks at Main and Cherokee streets, when a scooter wheel became stuck on a track. It's believed it was locked in place. At that very moment, the railroad crossing arms came down and a train quickly appeared in sight.

Not long after the incident was over, the time between where the train rounded a curve at that moment and the location of the victim, was recorded at 10 seconds by Colonel Edward Hightower of Kennesaw, 1st Brigade commanding officer.

"We just do what we're trained to do, I guess," said Brett.

"We had to get her out of there. So we ended up literarily just dragging the scooter with her across both sets of railroad tracks to get it clear of the train."

The soldiers humbly said their quick reactions were more the result of their training, than a desire to be heroes.

"We just did it just from instinct," Farmer said. "Any of our soldiers would have done the same thing."

Apparently, the incident occurred so hastily and smoothly that many among the festival's crowd didn't even stop to look at what was happening.

"They just thought we had it under control. They didn't react. They just stood there watching," said Farmer. "(The victim) may not have known the danger she was in."

Kent said there is no question in his mind that the soldiers saved the woman's life.

"I think they're heroes like everybody who serves in the battalion," he said. "I think they did exactly what any other soldiers in the 2nd Battalion or in the state Defense Force would have done under the same circumstances."

The GSDF is a military unit of the Georgia Department of Defense under the command of the governor and state adjutant general. Members are volunteer soldiers who serve alongside members of the state Army National Guard and Air Guard. They respond to emergency situations, assist the National Guard, and provide service in a variety of other areas.

On June 19, the five soldiers were each awarded the Medal of Valor at the GSDF's annual Birthday Ball at the Crowne Plaza Ravinia in Atlanta. In attendance were Maj. Gen. William Nesbitt, adjutant general, and Brig. Gen. Jerry Bradford, GSDF commander.

They were also recognized on June 21 with certificates of appreciation by the city of Kennesaw.