Righteous Among Nations

I stood looking at this flame last Spring. It was here that my own tears came, unstoppable. Those who stand watch over the entrance to this memorial preserve a portion of our humanity. I am humbled by their sacrifice.

Somehow the second half of quote from Avot is hard to overlook this time around.

Totally OT, but I'll note that our President used the fact that both Avot and the Q'uran contain the same lesson to good effect in a recent speech.

Last year,in Boston, I walked through the New England Holocaust Memorial(see wikipedia for a good description and photos): somehow, the combination of the chill wind coming in from the bay and the rising steam created an eerie sensation (and thoughts) I'll never forget.

Fitting tribute to a real hero. Thank you.

Pal, thanks for this memorial to Mr. Johns.

Here are some words about Steven Tyrone Johns:

http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jun/11/slain-guard-recalled-as-a-gentle-giant/?feat=home_headlines

The victim in Wednesday's fatal shooting at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum was described by friends and colleagues as a "gentle giant" who had died "heroically in the line of duty," having served at the institution for six years as a security guard.

Leaving behind a wife of one year and a 12-year-old son, Officer Stephen Tyrone Johns, 39, was killed Wednesday afternoon when a gunman opened fire at the museum.

http://www.upi.com/news/issueoftheday/2009/06/11/Hero-Stephen-Johns-foiled-Holocaust-Museum-massacre/UPI-74421244735260/

Johns was warm, popular and universally cherished. He led a life almost half a century shorter than von Brunn, yet every day of it was blessed. He went out a hero, saving the lives of probably scores of innocent schoolchildren who were visiting the museum at the time.

http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0609/631176.html

Johns' son, Stephen junior, recalled Thursday in an interview rushing to the hospital to see his wounded father.

"I thought he would make it. But he didn't," said Johns' 11-year-old son, Stephen Jr.

The elder Stephen died before they made it.

Johns' family members spent much of the day watching the news. For Jacqueline Carter, Johns' mother, she lost a child who loved his job at the museum.

"He loved his job, he loved his family," she said. "People used to refer to him as the gentle giant. He just loved life"

"He always wanted to be in that particular line of law enforcement, helping to save people, or keep them safe," added Carter.

Carter proudly showed photos of Johns at various stages of his life. Pictures of Stephens senior and junior at similar ages looked remarkably alike.

"He is doing his job and loving it and somebody who's just full of hatred can just come in and just take his life away and that's really sad for me."

It's also extremely difficult for a young boy to understand. Stephen junior said he and his dad had been talking about this to do this summer.

"One thing for sure I knew we were going fishing, in a boat," he said.

Johns had remarried about a year ago after divorcing his first wife, Stephen junior's mother. His new wife was too distraught to talk Thursday.

a nice thing to do for the man. thanks.