What a heartwarming moment July 5 at Foster Athletics Complex's Field 2 on Okinawa's Camp Foster.

John Zivic, the longtime basketball referee felled by a heart attack during January's Martin Luther King Tournament at Foster Field House, paid a visit to last weekend's 10th Firecracker Shootout Softball Tournament, looking very much like his old self (minus about 30 pounds).

And one of the medics who rushed to Zivic's aid during the MLK, Area I third baseman and basketball guard Jacqueline Kershaw, got to see and meet Zivic for the first time since she helped save his life.

Then, 10 days later, the Okinawa chapter of the American Red Cross honoured Kwan Cochrane, a Marine staff sergeant, who was first to Zivic's side to perform CPR. Cochrane was awarded a "Certificate of Recognition for Extraordinary Personal Action."

John claims he won't be winning many running races in the near future. But you'd have no problem recognising the sparkle in his pale blue eyes and his jovial smile.

He even talks about wanting to get back into officiating the game he's refereed since 1966. That includes 14 times at center court of a DODDS-Pacific Far East tournament.

It's just great to see him back. Poetically, he now works as a health and wellness consultant for Marine Corps Community Services on Okinawa.