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 ...
Ditto that.
This is forgiveness.
very very sad
WOW. How forgiving and gracious this man is. He lost a lot of family and praises the pilot and not assigning blame. I wish I had the courage and integrity that this man posseses.
My feelings exactly -- I work with a number of Korean immigrants and they are all honorable, hard-working, and proud of their legality as Americans.
It's important, when our opponents accuse us of being anti-immigrant, that we clarify that we are against illegal immigration. My father's parents were Italian immigrants, and proud to become legal Americans. I am proud to be descended from them.
Mr. Yoon demonstrates exceptional grace and composure in a situation I would find horribly difficult. I have no doubt he stood his turn and did things right when he came here.
How sad. My prayers for our Lord Jesus to give him the comfort and healing he is seeking and also for the pilot,who has to be hurting something awful inside. Lord, grant them your peace that surpasses all understanding. amen
According to the story, he came here in 1989 and is a naturalized citizen.
According to an article I read, his wife was working as a nurse at a local hospital.
I would say 'Dare we ask where you left your tact?' But, I'll play night. According to initial reports both engines of the aircraft failed turning said aircraft into a rock. Are you capable of 'flying' a rock? The pilot is surely kicking himself enough without your help. Prayers for Mr. Yoon, AND the pilot.
May God give Mr. Yoon more faith and courage.
According to wiki, it happened in the University City section of San Diego aka the Golden Triangle bounded by State 52 (e/w), I5 (n/s), and I805 (n/s). The plane crashed just north of 52 near Cather Ave and Huggins St (west of I805)
I looked it up because a family member lives across from Balboa Park, and I don't know how far away that would be. If you look it up on mapquest, the only way I could get it to work was to enter my relative's address (don't want to give it) then slide the map and zoom in, look northeast from University City for those streets and to the west for I805 which bounds Miramar on one side.
Both engines failed.
God bless this brave man, and also the pilot!
Amen!
The Korean sounds like a fine example of a good Christian.
Prayers up now, for all concerned.
What a tragedy!
I don’t get choked up easily, but the grace, dignity and compassion of this fine American in a time of unspeakable tragedy has touched my heart.
Mr Yoon makes every minute I spent in the Marine Corps worth it, in spades. God bless him in this dark hour.
Yoon is a beautiful, living example, of Amazing Grace. . .
Too Yoon; I say Thank You; and Amen.
Exactly, most readers won't.
There is no urgent legislation pending or any specific, immediate newsworthy value to this issue at the moment. This is most likely a background policy story that has probably been sitting on the shelf at the NY Times for months.
That they chose to pull it out in the wake of an unfortunate, tragic accident speaks volumes about their agenda. Especially in light of the more thoughtful angle that CNN chose to pursue.
Yoon is a beautiful, living example, of Amazing Grace. . .
Too Yoon; I say Thank You; and Amen.
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