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 ...
I am praying for all concerned, and suggest that y'all do the same.
God, please pour your grace upon this fine, suffering man. Amen.
Prayer for the pilot and this young father/husband who lost so much. If only the majority of American’s understood what HE understands.
This is so sad. Prayers for him.
As are you, Mr. Yoon.
My heart is broken for this man...he shows a lot of courage and depth of character though. He will be in my prayers for comfort and strength.
Prayers for this man. I hope he has a lot of family and community support. This is so horrible.
Well said.
True faith.
God bless you, Mr. Yoon.
The grace of this man in the most horrible situation a man can be put in is most inspirational.
Amen.
Mr. Yoon is a selfless man.
Please, Lord, help him and reward him like you did to Job after his travails.
I don’t well up often this was one of those rare occurrences Wow I’m speechless
God bless this dear, suffering soul.
His whole family.
Prayers for the suffering pilot, too.
Dear God, what a horrible, tragic loss.
To be able to forgive while still in shock and grief is a true testament to this gentleman’s character. God bless him!
Minor point, but why does it matter that he spoke in "accented" English? Would CNN ever say this about a Mexican? And I too greatly admire that Yoon has his priorities straight and a sense of perspective even in this time of horrible tragedy.
Oh, Lord, please bring him comfort and peace.
It is a great human being among us who can think of others first in the middle of their own heart-break.
I cannot fathom.
When I read his comment about his daughters, I broke down and wept -- my own daughter is far away, and I have not been able to give her a hug in a long while. Tonight it is all I want to do.
This is so sad. God grant Mr. Yoon peace of mind and strength.
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