Jerold Garrison Shot for Helping a Robbery Victim

This is one of those stories where so many things could have gone even worse than they did.  It is a story of being betrayed by a friend and then rescued by a total stranger.  It's about one person helping another, regardless of the danger.  It took place several months ago, but just came to my attention.  Jerold tried to defuse a volatile situation, but was caught up in the escalation.  I'm glad he is on the mend!

http://www.azfamily.com/news/Shooting-victim-speaks-about-man-who-risked-his-life-for-hers-186095502.html

http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_phoenix_metro/central_phoenix/phoenix-man-shot-by-robber-wakes-from-coma

Dafydd Williams: Into the River to Save Another

From my point of view, Mr. Willams did everything right on this one.  When a woman disappeared into the cold waters of a flooded river, he first got someone to call for help; he grabbed some flotation, and did all his work while maintaining a grip on something solid.  It could still have gone horribly wrong, but this kind of act is what it is all about!  Thanks Mr. Williams... well deserved!

http://www.darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk/news/10144810.Pub_landlord_risked_his_own_life_to_save_drowning_woman/

Abdullah Khadef Crawls into Line of Fire to Save Aleppo Stranger

This is one of those stories that defies explanation.  Some of those commenting on the video at the link below claim that it is a fake, a piece of CIA propaganda.  Those of us on the outside can never know for sure whether it is the CIA spouting propaganda or whether the blog commenter is the dysinformant.  But taken at face value, and ignoring the political side of it all, if this is real, then this is true courage.  The most touching parts of it for me were the cries of the other fighters: "Cover him!" someone shouts, and bullets begin to fly even faster as he - totally unarmed - works to save a downed civilian.  Courage is where you find it.  I may agree with none of his politics, but I honor his apparent courage in doing what he did solely to help a stranger.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y34f1BCEj5Y

12-year-old Brian Oduor Fights Swift Water to Rescue Friend

When their boat became unbalanced and capsized in the Yala River in Western Kenya, Brian did all that he could to help his friends.  Most were lost, but at least one owes his life to Brian.  This is especially praiseworthy, because he had at first started toward shore, but returned to encourage and eventually rescue his friend.  Super!

(Map courtesy ScienceDirect.com)



http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000073381&story_title=Kenya:%20Brave%20boy%20risked%20his%20life%20to%20save%20that%20of%20a%20friend

The Kuljians: Loyalty, Bravery, Family...

This is one of those stories of courage and commitment that defies words.  This family was not about to lose any of their own without a fight.  Several of them drowned as a result.  Hearts go out to those who remain.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/27/howard-kuljian_n_2198110.html

Katrina Hays Enters Oxygen-Fed Blaze to Save a Neighbor

She couldn't just keep going, or even just call 911, because time was too short, so Ms. Hays went into a smoke-filled home with active flames to find an elderly resident.  What I love the most... her all-too-typical response: "Anybody would have done it."  Well maybe, but I'm glad that somebody like her was there.  Thanks Ms. Hays!

http://www.kktv.com/home/headlines/Good-Samaritans-Save-Senior-Citizen-177129331.html

Creasey and Lessiter Ignored Flames to Free Truck Passenger

This one reads like an action novel, as two private citizens frantically worked to free a trapped person from a burning truck cab.  Moments after they got the man clear, the cab was fully engulfed by the flames.  The date isn't available in the article, but it certainly sounds as if they deserve the praise being lavished on them.  Congratulations!

http://www.bostonpeople.co.uk/Boston-dad-risked-life-save-man-Carl-Creasy/story-17135032-detail/story.html