This blog has a theme song–it is David Bowie’s “Heroes.”
Hero #1–The Southwest Airlines Pilot
Her name is Captain Tammie Jo Shults. I listened to the cockpit recording of her during the incident, when the engine blew up and tore a hole in the plane. Absolutely awesome. Can I get her to pilot all my flights?
She was a fighter pilot in the Navy.
She has degrees in biology and agribusiness.
She goes to church, and is described as a, “Strong Christian lady”.
After the landing, she texted a friend, ‘God is good.’
I think she is emblematic of many heroes. In so many ways she was just doing her job, but she did it well, and in the crunch, she saved lives. Just like doctors, nurses, police officers, firefighters, and so many other people do every single day. A big shout out to all of you!
Hero #2–The Guy At The Waffle House Who Took The Gun
His name is James Shaw, Jr. He wrested the AR-15 from the murderer before he could kill anyone else. “I decided he would have to work to kill me.” That is what he said. “I took it (the rifle) from him and threw it over the countertop.” Like. A. Boss.
He is a college graduate.
He has a four year old daughter.
He apparently likes waffles at 3AM.
He is a vegan who works as a wire-tech for AT&T.
He went to church later that morning.
Who knows how many lives he saved?
Hero #3–The kid Who Remembered The Sermon And Stood Strong
His name is Lawrence Wollek. He is in elementary school.
He listened to the sermon I preached on Sunday about the third commandment–not taking the name of the Lord in vain. Sunday night his parents, both his mother and his father, texted me to tell me that their neighbor was over that afternoon and his language got out of hand. That was when Lawrence told him he needs to watch it.
I love that kid.
It is not the same as landing a plane with one engine or wrestling away a firearm from a murderer, but in its own way, speaking truth to power is heroic. We need more people like Lawrence to gently remind people of truth.
Remember, the world is filled with heroes.