As details continue to come in via TV and Internet about yesterday's horrific mass murder at Virginia Tech, the following item appears in today's Jerusalem Post:As Jews worldwide honored on Monday the memory of those who were murdered in the Holocaust, a 75-year-old survivor sacrificed his life to save his students in Monday's shooting at Virginia Tech College that left 32 dead and over two dozen wounded.
Professor Liviu Librescu, 76, threw himself in front of the shooter, who had attempted to enter his classroom. The Israeli mechanics and engineering lecturer was shot to death, "but all the students lived - because of him," Virginia Tech student Asael Arad - also an Israeli - told Army Radio.
Several of Librescu's other students sent e-mails to his wife, Marlena, telling of how he blocked the gunman's way and saved their lives, said the son, Joe.
"My father blocked the doorway with his body and asked the students to flee," Joe Librescu said in a telephone interview from his home outside of Tel Aviv. "Students started opening windows and jumping out."
Dear Readers - I'm sure as reports continue to come in (and at the time of the writing of this blog the identity of the murderer is as yet unknown) there will be many tales of heroism reported. Of course there will be heroes who will be Americans, non-Jews, etc. - but the strange irony of this gentleman's sacrifice to save his students on the very day the world remembered the Holocaust which he survived seems very, very poignant.
May all the people who lost their lives yesterday rest in peace, and may Almighty G_d Himself comfort the families and friends who lost loved ones yesterday until we are all reunited in the World to Come...amen & amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment