Actually, it sounds as if he packed a lot of heroism into that "good and productive life," so I would hardly call it a waste. Imagine if he had valued his life over those of his fellow workers.
Do you remember that riveting dialogue from "Field of Dreams?"
Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner), trying to convince the elderly Dr. Graham that he (Graham) was supposed to travel back to Iowa with Kinsella to live out his baseball dreams: "But Dr. Graham, you came so close to being a real big league ballplayer, and you got sent down to the minors after playing in the outfield for one inning. You were a major leaguer for five minutes, and that is a tragedy."
Archie (Doc) Graham (Burt Lancaster): "Son, imagine if I had been a doctor for five minutes. Now THAT would be a tragedy."
I can tell you feel as I do, about this senseless waste of a human life.
Now multiply the feeling you have right now times 5000, and you realize the magnitude of the Moms and Dads who left behind 10,000 children due to a senseless murder by misguided fools.
Everytime I feel like this, I think I could lessen the anguish by just punching a "peacenik" in the mouth.
God Bless the American Heroes who were victims of this cowardly murder.
I misunderstood your meaning at first. I'm sorry too, I hope all Americans comprehend what we lost that day.
I agree about the loss (I can't say waste), but RR teaches us about love of country, love of your fellow Americans, and especially those fellow Americans at your side, those placed in your charge. We can learn from his actions. He saved thousands, and died to save the last dozen.
He could have left those final few, and been a hero. He didn't, and was a hero. I'll leave that distinction to forces beyond my comprehension. His story is one of great bravery.