Remembering the subway hero

[DesertFox]

The train was bearing down, and Wesley Autrey Sr. was trying to lift Cameron Hollopeter off the wet, slippery subway tracks where the young man had fallen after suffering an epileptic seizure.

Recalling the heroic act that earned him the nickname "subway superman" one year ago, Autrey described how he "bear-hugged" Hollopeter and told him: "Whatever you do, please don't push me up. I'm going to be the one that's going to get it, and you're going to be OK."

The train passed over both men, grazing Autrey's hat, while Autrey's two young daughters watched in horror.

Dapper in a leather fedora and a sporting a tiny hoop earring, Autrey was patient and soft-spoken as he recounted the events for the hundredth time, or perhaps the thousandth, over cafe con leche Tuesday at his favorite West Harlem restaurant, steps from the subway station where the Jan. 2, 2007, rescue unfolded.

More (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080101/ap_on_re_us/subway_rescue)

[PrezLeefun]

Ah a real hero.... there is hope.

[DesertFox]

There are many, many more out there like this guy than we commonly think.

We're so accustomed to looking where somebody's pointing -- meaning, where the news draws our attention. Hence we get to see all the attention-hungry (politicians) and the emotionally-needy (Hollywood) and the gladiatorial (sports). Meanwhile, the real heroes plug along -- moms and dads, going about the dull business of making a life, working at jobs they may not particularly care for, taking care of kids who don't value them as they merit, the day-in and day-out of raising a family to be responsible, loving human beings who in their turn will raise families to be responsible, loving human beings.

These are the folks who make things work. Without them civilization would grind to a halt amid the quarreling, fighting, hating, resenting grown up whining babies acting out their neuroses. We could easily do without the Tom Cruises and Madonnas, but without dull, boring moms and dads who just stay at it with no recognition or thanks or emotional recompense, it would all fly apart.

Wesley Autrey reminds us that such folks are there. That they've been there all along, doing what needed doing with no fanfare or recognition. He is indeed a true hero. And thank God he's not alone.

[Beowulf]

I heard of this story on some awards show where he was recognized for his heroism. It was a very touching story of a man who threw caution to the wind and risked his own life to save another. If I'm lucky, I'll get to shake his hand some day.

I'm willing to bet that the local news in New York City put his story on last, you know, "and finally tonight...." after all the usual stories of rape, murder and other acts of idiocy that are daily occurances in NYC. Shame on the media if they did.