Yesterday, in southern California, a military F/A-18D jet, flying out of Marine Air Station Miramar, crashed into a residential neighborhood after both engines failed. Thankfully, the pilot safely ejected. I wish that was the end of the story. Four people on the ground died when the crash set their house on fire.
My stepson, John, is interested in the military and so I said to him last night, "Can you imagine what the pilot is going through knowing what happened on the ground?" My heart went out to him.
For Korean immigrant, Don Yun Yoon, the nightmare was only beginning. In the resulting fire, Mr. Yoon lost his two young daughters aged 2 months and 15 months, his wife and his mother-in-law. His whole world was wiped out in a second.
None of us, save Diane and Craig, can even begin to imagine Mr. Yoon's loss. But in the face of his terrible loss, Mr. Yoon reached out to the pilot. He was quoted as saying on CNN's website, "I don't blame him. I don't have any hard feelings. I know he did everything he could." He went on to say, "He is one of our treasures for the country." Even in his broken English, and as an immigrant, he recognized what many of us already know.
He's correct, of course, but his response is remarkable, to say the least. Nothing I could write would be worthy of evaluating Mr. Yoon's pain. So, I want to leave you with his words- "I know there are more people who have experienced more terrible things. But, please, tell me how to do it. I don't know what to do."
Please pray for Mr. Yoon.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
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