Posted on 12/09/2008 7:32:38 PM PST by dayglored
SAN DIEGO - A Korean immigrant who lost his wife, two children and mother-in-law when a Marine Corps jet slammed into the family's house said Tuesday he did not blame the pilot, who ejected and survived.
"Please pray for him not to suffer from this accident," a distraught Dong Yun Yoon told reporters gathered near the site of Monday's crash of an F/A-18D jet in San Diego's University City community.
"He is one of our treasures for the country," Yoon said in accented English punctuated by long pauses while he tried to maintain his composure.
"I don't blame him. I don't have any hard feelings. I know he did everything he could," said Yoon, flanked by members of San Diego's Korean community, relatives and members from the family's church.
Authorities said four people died when the jet crashed into the Yoon family's house...
Yoon named the victims as his infant daughter Rachel, who was born less than two months ago; his 15-month-old daughter Grace; his wife, Young Mi Yoon, 36; and her 60-year-old mother, Suk Im Kim, who he said had come to the United States from Korea recently to help take care of the children.
Fighting back tears, he said of his daughters: "I cannot believe that they are not here right now... I know there are many people who have experienced more terrible things," Yoon said. "But, please, tell me how to do it. I don't know what to do."
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/12/09/military.jet.crash/index.html#cnnSTCVideo
Dear Lord, be with this dear man in his time of grief.
Also, please be with that pilot, as he's really going to need your help right now...
Amen.
I pray that this young man doesn't soon regret his mercy.
You read my mind... I opened up Skype (we chat every few nights) and am waiting for her to appear (she's 5 hours to the west of me). You can bet she'll know her Dad loves her tonight... She enjoys FR, and I plan to give her a link to this thread as well.
What a gracious thing for Mr. Yoon to say of and for the pilot. His loss is so great and we certainly send him our sincerest sympathy and prayers for peace.
This is when forgiveness is easiest of all. He cannot think, he's had no time to process anything. He's moving around by auto-pilot (not to be crass). That his first tendency isn't to start blaming others speaks well of him. But I hope he isn't being too hasty.
Thank you, I will send some encouragement. Anywhere we can give a small donation to this poor man?
I'm not at all sure where you're coming from. Are you proposing that Mr. Yoon should withhold his feelings of forgiveness, in case he decides later to lash out? I don't get that.
If you intend to convey that he may later try to sue the pilot or something, I don't quite know what to say in return...
I for one would be most disappointed if he turned his back on his current feelings, which are honorable and godly, and did something else instead.
Could you explain what you meant, please?
You're welcome! I have no idea about donations, but perhaps the pastor would know if a fund is being set up in the local community. I imagine they'll try to do something, and may publish an address or phone number.
wow — moved beyond words.
prayers for all involved and especially for a joyous reunion in heaven for this brave man and his lost family.
Exactly right!
I know that this man shows so much more grace and forgiveness than I could in the same circumstances. While I know I would certainly be able to take the same position given time, to be able to do so while the wounds are still so raw, and the emotions still so high, is a sign of one who is truly good at the core. I will certainly pray for both him and the pilot who I know must have a heavy conscience.
He only punched when it was clear he was not going to make the open field he was going for, let alone the airfield, which itself was quiet close to the crash site.
When I was on active duty, back in the dark ages, at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma, we lost a student and an instructor pilot in a T-38 who stayed with the bird trying to not hit any houses, trying instead hit a golf course. They hit a house anyway. Fortunately only a German Shepard was at home. But by not punching when they should have, they died. It's a very fine line.
It would not have helped Mr. Yoon any to know that the pilot died too. For some it might I guess, but not, I think, Mr. Yoon.
see post 103
Prayer bump
I read the church’s website with my cursory knowledge of Korean. They don’t have any mention of a memorial fund at this time. I’ll take your advise and email the Rev and see if there will be one set up to help Mr. Yoon and his Father in Law through this difficult time.
May God bless him and comfort his heart.
This is an example of a godly man. We can all learn from him.
I have written the San Diego paper and have inquiries going around to some Korean friends here in California; I’ll let the forum know as soon as I find something.
You're welcome. It felt like the right thing to do... and the outpouring of prayers and supportive comments was overwhelming, and makes me proud to be a FReeper. My eyes haven't been dry for hours, reading and responding to folks.
> May God bless him and comfort his heart. This is an example of a godly man. We can all learn from him.
Indeed we can. I hope that he is able to recover his life after this, and find peace of mind. He is an inspiration to us.
Excellent, thank you!!
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