The events of the last several days have been sickening. After four days of the Aurora, Colorado shootings and the Penn State child-sex scandal coverage, I reached a point of frustration with everything that is wrong in our society.
I finally asked the question, “Where is the good in our world?” It had been a long time since I uttered those words.
As I began to process my thoughts and feelings, I felt God moving me to tell the stories of people whose acts are worth emulating. I felt Him wanting me to shine a light on those whose lives would inspire us during these dark times and remind us of the good in people.
I thought of the many great people of character I am fortunate enough to know but my thoughts returned to that Aurora theater. Because it is in that theater that only great tragedy took place, but also great acts of heroism. In addition to story of Stephanie Davis and Allie Young told above by President Obama, I am bringing to you the historical accounts of four incredibly brave men.
As the shootings began, Jon Blunk pushed his girlfriend Jansen Young under a seat to protect her from the gunfire. Blunk ultimately lost his life saving her’s.
Jansen told the NY Daily News, “Jon just took a bullet for me…Jon gave me one good push against that concrete again and then … I didn’t really feel his arms against my back anymore but I knew he was still there.”
She went on to add, “He is the guy that would take a bullet for you. He did the right thing all the time.  I know I would not be here today if Jon had not been next to me in that movie theater.â€
Her mother Shellie said, “He was loving, the kind of guy you want your daughter to be with, and ultimately, she’s alive because of this, because he protected her.”
24-year-old Alex Teves also put his girlfriend Amanda Lindgren on the floor when the firing began.  Lindgren’s aunt, Barbara Slivinske said, “He pushed her to the floor to save her and he ended up getting a bullet.  He was gonna hit the floor himself, but he never made it.â€
Similarly, Matt McQuinn gave his life protecting his girlfriend Samantha Yowler. You can read more about these three heroes by clicking here.
Finally, Mike White, an Air Force veteran, saved the life of his son’s wounded girlfriend Farrah Soudani. White told 9News, “I saw the gunman.  So, I took off my shirt, and I put the shirt on her … holding her guts in. She was going ‘I don’t want to die. I hurt so much.’ I was trying to tell her ‘It’s gonna be awright.'”
To prevent the gunman from killing Soudani, White laid over her. He said, “What I did was, I laid over her, holding on to her.  I laid over her … waiting for the guy to actually shoot.” Thankfully, the shooting ceased.
White concluded, “No, I’m not a hero. I’m just Mike. There’s other people in [there] that were heroes.” You can read White’s full story by clicking 9News.
I must respectfully disagree with Mr. White. You are a hero! And so are Stephanie Davis, Jon Blunk, Alex Teves, and Matt McQuinn. Your lives have inspired us and made us remember the good that still exists in humanity.
If you have any thoughts on Mr. White and the four additional heroes mentioned, feel free to share them.
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