Millions tracked the search for the Kim family, missing for 14 days after the Thanksgiving holiday. Like the little girl in the well, or any community search, we were elated when the family was found, and we worried when dad was not with them.
A couple of observations:
A man must take action. It's the hardest thing in the world for us to just sit and wait. Photograpers will tell you to let the "shot" come to you. Football linebackers will "read" or intuit that a play is developing in a certain way, and flow toward the action to make their tackle. But it's the hardest thing in the world to just sit and wait. On Saturday, a week after getting stuck in the middle of nowhere, all other options were gone. James had to make something happen or the unthinkable might occur. It is a move any of us would have made. Set out with flags and banners (clothes), and find help. It is what a man does. Provide, protect, and pursue. I'm so sorry that you lost your life, but it was for a great and noble cause. May your wife and daughters never forget your courage.
As more facts emerge, authorities and outdoorsmen will reflect on missed opportunities and the several mistakes that were made, both by the Kims and those on the search. In the meantime, let's mourn with the Kim family, and take good care of James' widow and orphans. He earned at least that much, and we owe that much as our Christian duty.
(from SFGate.com) FOURTEEN DAYS LOST - Mileage
Route of car traveled on logging road BLM 34-8-36: 21.3 miles
James Kim's hike out on road: 11.5 miles
James Kim's hike down Big Windy Creek ravine: 4.7 miles
Total miles walked by James Kim: 16.2 miles
Distance to Black Bar Lodge from car (straight line): 3 miles
San Francisco Chronicle (SFGate.com) coverage: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/12/10/MNGVOMT3NJ1.DTL&hw=Kim+stranded&sn=001&sc=1000
CNN's coverage: http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/12/11/griffin.oregon/index.html?eref=rss_topstories
A couple of observations:
- I'm not sure I would have thought of burning the tires for heat, as they did. James Kim only left when they burned their last tire - the spare tire.
- Kim walked for 16 miles before succumbing to the damp cold.
- He may have died the same day his family was rescued, two days after he went for help.
A man must take action. It's the hardest thing in the world for us to just sit and wait. Photograpers will tell you to let the "shot" come to you. Football linebackers will "read" or intuit that a play is developing in a certain way, and flow toward the action to make their tackle. But it's the hardest thing in the world to just sit and wait. On Saturday, a week after getting stuck in the middle of nowhere, all other options were gone. James had to make something happen or the unthinkable might occur. It is a move any of us would have made. Set out with flags and banners (clothes), and find help. It is what a man does. Provide, protect, and pursue. I'm so sorry that you lost your life, but it was for a great and noble cause. May your wife and daughters never forget your courage.
As more facts emerge, authorities and outdoorsmen will reflect on missed opportunities and the several mistakes that were made, both by the Kims and those on the search. In the meantime, let's mourn with the Kim family, and take good care of James' widow and orphans. He earned at least that much, and we owe that much as our Christian duty.
(from SFGate.com) FOURTEEN DAYS LOST - Mileage
Route of car traveled on logging road BLM 34-8-36: 21.3 miles
James Kim's hike out on road: 11.5 miles
James Kim's hike down Big Windy Creek ravine: 4.7 miles
Total miles walked by James Kim: 16.2 miles
Distance to Black Bar Lodge from car (straight line): 3 miles
San Francisco Chronicle (SFGate.com) coverage: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/12/10/MNGVOMT3NJ1.DTL&hw=Kim+stranded&sn=001&sc=1000
CNN's coverage: http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/12/11/griffin.oregon/index.html?eref=rss_topstories
4 comments:
"No greater love has a man that he would lay his life down for one of his friends." This verse from Jesus' lips and penned in the Gospel of John is one of my favorite Scriptures. James Kim was a man of deep love for his family...who were his closest friends.
I'm a dad of children the same age as James' kids...which makes this story so tough to swallow. I'm sure there was no ounce of regret when he left them all in the car to venture out in order to save them. He was a man of action (as you said). James has left a legacy. May we strive to leave the same mark on our family, our friends and our world.
Yup. You're feeling me. May we be willing to make the tough calls for our families. And may we build statues to our faith in the hearts of our wives and children.
To STAY and protect, or to GO to protect: ah, a difficult decision indeed. Demonstrates that even if we make good/right decisions we can't always determine the outcome. Our powers, though substantial, are limited. Reminded me of the AA Serenity Prayer: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to accept the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.
He did the right thing and the manly thing. I tried to explain this to my wife last night, she did not understand...we must act, we can be patient (and he was) but eventually we must act.
Great post Steve.
Post a Comment