I stand in awe of citizen-heroes

[Stinky The Clown]

Listening to the horrible news from Minneapolis/St. Paul is rough. But hearing about the heroes is so uplifting. The guy who went down with the bridge and then helped save those kids in that school bus.

I'm listening to an interview now about some young man who, on hearing about the event, drove toward the scene, got out of his car, and went headlong into it to save whoever he could.

These people always tend to be self-effacing and modest about what they do. They always say 'anybody would have done the same.' I'd like to believe that, but I'm just not sure.

A prime example of the sort of person who becomes a hero is Lenny Skutnick. It was January of 1982. Before you go to the link, can you recall the event and why Lenny was an invited guest at the 1982 State of the Union address? It wasn't about military service.

I REALLY REALLY admire these citizen heroes.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lenny_Skutnik

[porphyrian]

1. And a kick for the heros whose names we'll never know. - n/t

[Bluebear]

2. K/R I salute them too.

[Virginia Dare]

3. I remember Mr. Skutnik very well..

and a big thank you to all of the citizen heroes out there, those that are known as well as unknown.

[annabanana]

4. These are the people who see themselves and their families in the eyes of others.

The ones who know, in their heart of hearts that we are one. These are the people who can take the strength of their love and know that these strangers also love and are loved, that can take their pain and know that others can hurt as much as they do..

This is what is best about the human animal...

[Longhorn]

5. K&R

[blondeatlast]

6. In the midst of the strange hell we've endured lately, events like

these remind me why we prevail.

People are kind at their core, it just takes the momentwhen it's needed most to bring it out.

I have to disagree with you, Stinky--I think almost all of us can step up when a crisis happens. With my medical condition, I've seen strangers help me and my son out when it's needed most, then seem to disappear before I got a chance to offer my enormous gratitude. Most people can--and do--see themselves in the suffering of others. That's why the INABILITY to see it is a sickness but the presence of it is "normal."

Great post. It's good to be reminded of what makes us strong.

:toast:

[glitch]

9. I think that is why most of us have a hard time imagining that people like Bush and Cheney

are actually intending to harm us. They give them a pass, they think they must be incompetent.

Evil does exist, which is why we have defined it as bad in all our cultures. Evil is rare though, which is a testament to our spirit. I have been in the position to both receive and give anonymous emergency help. I am grateful and a little startled when I receive it. When I need to give it there is no thought, I just do it. It would be weird not to.

[Stinky The Clown]

11. 'sickness' and 'normal' .......

.... very insightful. That's an interesting way to look at it. And to me it sounds quite correct.

[Gormy Cuss]

7. I remember what Lenny Skutnik did.

A true act of heroism.

[Lex]

8. A couple of young frat guy types helped save people--one was

a pregnant woman they pulled from the water. Another was a guy with a bloodied head and broken jaw bone.

They interviewed them on MSNBC last night.

They looked to be 18 or 19. They were still in a state of disbelief.

Did anyone else see those guys interviewed?

[Stinky The Clown]

12. Yeah, I saw them .... at least think it was the ones to whom you refer

Two young guys. One had on a red Nike baseball cap?

Yeah .... two kids who just got involved. Perfect examples of citizen heroes.

[Lex]

15. Yep, one had on a red ballcap.

They almost made me cry. They were still reeling--but trying to be matter-of-fact about pulling a pregnant woman out of the water and a man who was all bloodied. "We were just trying to help."

Citizen-heroes indeed.

[endarkenment]

10. You might be surprised at how you react to such situations.

The urge to altruistic behavior is instinctual. Doesn't mean we always do it though. It is amazing to witness, or even more so, to experience it in yourself.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

13. There was a brief clip yesterday from the collapse...

of a woman in the river free diving for survivors. She was a rescue worker, but I really don't think that's the sort of thing you'll find in the rescue worker training manual.

[BlooInBloo]

14. Totally! Like the dude from NY who jump onto the subway rails to save some guy...

... That stuff totally rules - give ya hope.

[NorthernSpy]

18. Wesley Autrey, the Subway Hero

Incredible bravery AND quick thinking. Lying down in front of a subway train to save the life of a stranger...

I could never do that.

[yardwork]

16. And Arland Dean Williams, who gave his life to other survivors.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arland_D._Williams_Jr.

[Stinky The Clown]

17. Very true ..... he was the guy who was still strapped to his seat .....

.... and had a sense he wasn't going to make it. He passed the helicopter rescue line to others several times.

[Stinky The Clown]

19. WOW ... just WOW

Right now (6.18 EDT Thursday) on the Carlson boy's show is a man who lives, literally, next to the foot of that bridge. He is telling an absolutely amazing story. He saw the collapse from his apartment and ran to the scene with his girlfriend.

They rescued a guy, who then joined them to go rescue a couple, who joined them to go rescue more people ........

Amazing.

Victims to rescuers.

[Bluerthanblue]

20. it's the beauty of

humanity that sometimes only gets noticed when under a media spotlight.

I was reading some Garrison Keillor this afternoon (the Twin Cities always makes me think of him) and I found this really appropriate quote:


"Even in a time of elephantine vanity and greed, one never has to look far to see the campfires of gentle people."
Garrison Keillor

We've been so saturated lately by examples of the cruel, ugly actions we humans are capable of- it's important to remember that there is another side~ the side of "the better angels of our nature" as Lincoln noted. We need to nurture and cultivate this vital part of who we are.

Wishing comfort, healing and peace to all
blu