Local heroes - both human and canine - were honored for their courage, compassion, and bravery during Wareham Crossing's second annual Braveheart Awards on Saturday, September 17.

"We are celebrating the people in your community who work hard to help others," said Greg Hill, emcee of the event and host of The Hill-Man Morning Show on WAAF. "We call those people 'Bravehearts.'"

Among the Wareham recipients of the awards were four Wareham firefighters, Onset resident Richard Wheeler, and "Ultimate Patriot" and Wareham resident Flo Byron.

The ceremony began with a parade of vehicles from Wareham Ford, military personnel, children, and even a couple of horses. A solemn recognition and remembrance of the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks followed the parade.

A 9/11 memorial mural painted by Tuesday Bethoney stretched across an area of grass in the shopping center. In front of the mural stood 2,983 miniature American flags - one for every life lost in the attacks.

The painting was dedicated to the seven employees of TJ Maxx who lost their lives when American Airlines flight 11, which departed from Boston, crashed into a World Trade Center tower.

Though the ceremony began appropriately with the 9/11 tribute, Hill noted: "Today is not supposed to be a sad day."

State Representative Susan Williams Gifford (R-Wareham) then issued citations to the Gleason Family YMCA and Boys & Girls Club of Wareham for good deeds performed by children at the facilities before passing out the distinguished Braveheart Awards.

Wareham Fire Department Captain Edwin Brundage and firefighters Ralph Braley, David Wahlstrom, and Michael Bird were honored for their "dedication to safety and commitment to serve and protect."

The men rescued a teenager from a burning pick-up truck after it crashed into an Oak Street home at a high rate of speed on March 25, descending into the basement and knocking the house off its foundation.

Two people were able to get out of the truck on their own, but the driver was trapped.

Wareham Fire Chief Robert McDuffy spoke about the team's rescue.

"The house was fully involved in flames," McDuffy said. "Our firefighters were faced with the most extreme conditions."

The firefighters broke the back window of the truck and attempted to pull the driver out, but the truck slid further into the basement.

"[Firefighter] Bird heard the driver screaming for help," McDuffy explained. Bird took off his air mask and "buddy breathed" - shared his air - with the victim as the cab filled with smoke.

Eventually, the firefighters were able to free the driver through a door of the vehicle.

"These firefighters to my right, they're modest," McDuffy said, pointing toward the four firefighters sitting on-stage. "This was not a normal night. What could have went wrong did go wrong. ... They'll say they were just doing their jobs, but they saved a life that evening."

Onset resident Richard Wheeler was honored for his "commitment of time, support, and inspiration to the community." Wheeler has been advocating for conserving clean water and protecting wildlife for decades. He has volunteered countless hours at the Gleason Family YMCA and was a member of the original YMCA fundraising committee, which helped raise the money needed to build the Y.

Known as the "Ultimate Patriot," Wareham resident Flo Byron was recognized for her many volunteer efforts in the community, including with the Operation Desert Storm Fundraiser, during which she played her harmonica from the back of a pick-up truck to raise money for the troops. Additionally, she has marched in a number of 9/11 remembrance parades with her brother's "We Must Never Forget" painting, which shows firefighters raising a fallen American flag in front of a burning building.

Byron is also credited with creating the tourist information center on Route 195. She worked in a portable trailer with outdoor bathrooms for several years in an effort to assist tourists in need of help.

Also receiving a Braveheart Award was the Cape Cod Canal Marine Operations Team, which patrols the canal and ensures the safe transit of vessels. It assisted hundreds of disabled vessels in 2010.

Cell Phones for Soldiers, which has raised nearly $2 million in donations and distributed 500,000 calling cards to deployed soldiers, was recognized. The organization was founded by teenagers Robbie and Brittany Berquist from Norwell.

Cynthia Deslauriers, a volunteer and member of the Cape Cod Cares for Troops board of directors, was honored for her work in making care packages for troops and helping to purchase supplies for wounded soldiers. Her son, Mark, lost his life fighting for the U.S. overseas.

And the dogs had their day! The Plymouth County Sheriff's Department K-9 unit was recognized for its bravery and assistance in locating fugitives and missing persons and for its help in drug searches.

After the ceremony, attendees enjoyed music from Martha's Vineyard-based band, Entrain.

Branches of the military set up booths with information and games. Army vehicles were parked and opened up for children to explore.

The event also served as a donation drive for holiday care packages put together by Cape Cod Cares for the Troops. Visitors could drop off phone cards, socks, T-shirts, and toiletries to several Wareham Crossing stores.

"It means so much to us that Wareham and the surrounding community have really embraced this event," said David Fleming, director of corporate marketing for WS Development, which operates Wareham Crossing.

Ellyne Fleshner, regional retail manager for WS Development, said she was pleased with the turn-out for the event, which has been in the making for roughly four months.

"The Army and the community was instrumental" in planning the event, Fleshner said. "Everybody joined hands for one purpose."