Did you hear about the bravery of the flight attendant who was one of those on the Asiana flight that just crashed on Saturday in San Francisco? She is a very petite woman and yet, I saw the photo of her carrying passengers on her back to get them off the plane. One of the survivors said, "She was so composed, I thought she had come from the terminal". It was later found that the flight attendant (Lee Yoon-hye) was actually injured herself having broken a bone, but she was the last one off the plane after making sure that no one else needed any help...
In June, 43 year old Mike Patterson dove into a creek in Rome, Georgia to rescue a drowning 4 year old girl. Mike saved the little girl but was left paralyzed from the dive. His nine year old son, Cole, witnessed his father saving the little girl and the aftermath of his father's severe injuries. On June 28th, Mike Patterson died.
Please say a prayer for Cole and for the family and friends of Mike Patterson. Mike Patterson had just started a new job and did not have any health insurance. (Friends of Mike Patterson set up a Facebook account and asked for donations, and they came pouring in....the account has now been closed. My thanks to those who responded to this post asking where you could send money.)
I very much admire people, ordinary people, who do extraordinary things when they are called upon do so.
This is a picture of Mike Patterson. This is a picture of a hero.
It was a miracle so many lived through that crash. I had not heard about that amazing flight attendant-
ReplyDeleteThank God for those who do the right thing, never thinking of themselves.
If you see the flight attendant's photo, you would never believe that she had been on that plane, she looked so calm and collected.
DeleteThank God for the heroes.
Heroes show us the best of human nature, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteDid you see the video of the young women from Ohio that was just released? (The ones who were kidnaped and kept for so many years?) I also consider them heroes, showing a courage and bravery that just amazes.
DeleteThere doesn't have to be any "supernatural" power or particular genetic disposition for a person to become a hero. Your examples show how everyone can do their part and be a hero for someone else. That in Mike Patterson's case it was at the prize of his life is very sad.
ReplyDeleteEveryday heroes are all around us, we need to recognize them more often, I think.
DeleteAlthough so very sad for now, it would be really cool if Mike's son and the saved little girl could fall in love and be a couple someday.
ReplyDeletePerhaps. I only wish that the girl knows that the man who saved her did so out of love and concern and the son knows that not every man would do what his father did, jump in quickly like that to save a life.
DeleteAye, those are people to respect.
ReplyDeleteI agree and we need to hear more about them.
DeleteThese are unsung heroes, Kay. My favourites. The world is a better place because of them.
ReplyDeleteAnd we are in great need of them!
DeleteHeroes are the ones who do what is right, not what is convenient.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the inspiring stories this morning.
If you look at any of my book reviews, it is the heroic, inspiring stories that I like to share!
DeleteLouis Zamperini, Benjamin Purcell, W.S. Connor- all survivors and very brave men. Heroes to me.
Oh, Kay-That just makes me want to bawl. Our ex-son-in-law saved his twin son from drowning 2 weeks ago-even though he could not swim-he drowned but saved the boy. So sad- xo Diana
ReplyDeleteOh Diana, that is so very sad and I am so very sorry. What a shock for everyone. Very often, this can result in two deaths, it's good that the boy was saved, but so very sorry that the father died in this rescue.
DeleteDiana,
DeleteJust wanted to say how sorry I was to hear of your ex-son-in-law drowning. Thinking of all concerned.
I had not heard those two stories ... how very sad and very inspiring. God bless that flight attendant, and that poor family bereft of their dad. Thanks for sharing this, Kay.
ReplyDeleteIt is the inspiring stories that I want to know about, don't know about anyone else.
DeleteGreat job on your bike ride in Colorado. Well done! I hope you and those on the bike ride raised a lot of money for the fight against MS.
These few examples are proof, Kay, that there is inherent goodness in people who never know when they will be called upon to help someone.
ReplyDeleteInherent goodness...do you remember Anne Frank's diary, where she stated that she felt people are basically good?
DeleteWhenever anyone says the opposite, I always think of her writing that.
I often hear the word "hero" over-used. As far as I'm concerned, a hero is someone who puts their own life on the line for others. All these wonderful people you wrote about certainly did that. They are indeed true heroes that the word was meant for.
ReplyDeleteHeroes in sports are the most often overused, don't you agree?
DeleteProblem, Kay. I tried donating a little amount but it won't let me put the amount in. Perhaps if you know the organisers you can ask them to check if it is working properly.
ReplyDeleteOh, I wonder if you have to be on Facebook or if you have to be in the USA? I don't know, I wonder if anyone reading this could let me know, pretty please?
Delete(I will send an email to the Friends of Mike Patterson and ask them and if they reply, I could then edit this post.)
Thanks for letting me know this, John!
Thanks for bringing Mike's story to my attention. These are the inspiring individuals that need to be discussed on the front-pages of newspapers. Taking a look at the link to Sue now.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteThat bike ride in Colorado is just beautiful and I love Sue's photos and writings to go along with it too. Good ride for a good cause.
What a remarkable thing to do! They are the modern day heroes who touch other people's lives in a special way. By the way, I love your header!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the rest of your week, Ms Kay! :)
If you like this header, make sure you read my next post about the SUNFLOWER FESTIVAL that I went to over the weekend!
DeleteMichael Patterson is a hero with a Scotch-Irish heart.
ReplyDeleteEvery person can act in a heroic manner and it does not matter about their race, sex, religion or national origin. That is what I believe anyway. We are all people, we need to take care of each other.
Delete