Archive for the ‘Touching’ Category
Grieving Chimps?
United in what appears to be deep and profound grief, a phalanx of more than a dozen chimpanzees stood in silence watching from behind the wire of their enclosure as the body of one of their own was wheeled past.
This extraordinary scene took place recently at the Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Center in Cameroon, West Africa.
When a chimp called Dorothy, who was in her late 40s, died of heart failure, her fellow apes seemed to be stricken by sorrow.
As they wrapped their arms around each other in a gesture of solidarity, Dorothy’s female keeper gently settled her into the wheelbarrow which carried her to her final resting place – not before giving this much-loved inhabitant of the centre a final affectionate stroke on the forehead.
One Love
From the award-winning documentary, “Playing For Change: Peace Through Music”, comes an incredible rendition of the legendary Bob Marley song “One Love” with Keb’ Mo’ and Manu Chao. This is the third video from the documentary and a follow up to the classic “Stand By Me” and the incredible “Don’t Worry.” Released in celebration of Bob Marley’s birthday on February 6th, this tribute to the legend is performed by musicians around the world adding their part to the song as it traveled the globe.
Playing For Change | Song Around The World “One Love” from Concord Music Group on Vimeo.
She Gave Five Sons to the Navy
Yup, this was the inspiration for Saving Private Ryan (and I’m still bitter it didn’t beat out Shakespeare in Love for Best Picture).
November, 1942: Five brothers, all serving on the same vessel during World War II, are killed in action as a result of said warship sinking at the Battle of the Solomons. Two months later, after hearing no word from the Navy regarding her sons’ well-being, Alleta Sullivan writes the following, deeply moving letter to the Bureau of Naval Personnel. Alleta promptly received a reply from President Roosevelt. That letter can also be read below.
As a result of the Sullivans’ plight, the U.S. military introduced the Sole Survivor Policy. The policy attempts to ensure that, should a family member be lost during military service, any remaining siblings be exempt from service.
Read both letters here.
In Memoriam Emmys 2009
For some reason I always look forward to the “In Memoriam” parts of award shows, especially the Oscars and the Emmys. I always like to see what clips are used of a performance of the deceased and what order they are presented, and sometimes I’m surprised that someone died and I had no idea that they were gone, or just reminded of a great that has passed. And it’s cool that I get to see people I had no idea were behind a film or show that really impacted my life. Oh, and it’s really interesting to see how the audience reacts to each person.
I didn’t get to watch the Emmys this year because I was too busy not watching a Cowboys game at the new stadium. So for those of you that missed it, here it is.
Matt Ziesel’s Touchdown Run
Matt is a special athlete who has Down Syndrome. He loves football and has grown up in an environment surrounded by sports. His father is a coach/ athletic director, and all his siblings play sports. He grew up at athletic events, and has always been a cheerleader. He registered as a freshman at Benton High School -Saint Joseph, MO this year, and told his mother and father he wanted to play football. The team takes good care of looking after Matt, and he is still the cheerleader on the sidelines. He puts his pads and helmet on, stands next to Coach McCamy and waits for his turn to play. Over and over during the course of the game Matt will say, “Coach McCamy, I am ready! I am ready Coach!” On this Monday night coach gave him a chance. The Cardinals were down by a few touchdowns with 15 seconds left. Coach McCamy called a timeout and asked the coach of Maryville High School if they could run their “Matt Play”. He agreed and this is where the video begins. Thanks to Coach McCamy and the freshman coach at Maryville, Matt and his family will cherish his moment forever!
The Blind Side
If you like stories where a rich white family adopts a large black boy, educates and loves him, and turns him into a first round NFL Draft pick, then this movie may just be for you.
For a nice primer, check out this NY Times story about Michael Oher.
The movie looks good, but I’m worried that southern accent Sandra Bullock is trying to pull off will become too distracting, almost like Costner’s Boston accent in Thirteen Days.
[Thanks, Jonathan!]
Life Advice From Old People
I blogger meets up with old people, asks advice, and records it.
www.lifeadvicefromoldpeople.com
Here’s a news segment on the blog:
Coming soon: Life Advice from Clergy
Hero teacher didn’t have time to think
In the moments after a young man detonated two pipe bombs at Hillsdale High School in San Mateo, English language development teacher Kennet Santana didn’t have time to think about what he should do.
As students crouched for cover in their classrooms, Santana, 34, moved toward the explosions shortly after 8 a.m. Monday. In the hallway outside the library, he saw a boy wearing a tactical vest with what turned out to be eight other pipe bombs.
Santana thought at first the youth was a student trying to run from whatever was happening. But when he noticed a pipe bomb sticking out of one of the boy’s pockets, he realized that the youth was a threat – and that he had to stop him.
Without hesitation, Santana tackled the boy in a bear hug, pinned his arms to his sides, flipped him to the ground and stayed on top of him while yelling at other teachers to call for help.
Read more: www.sfgate.com
But does the teacher consider himself a hero?
Not by this answer: “There’s one hero in my family, and he’s in Iraq right now,” Santana said, referring to his brother, who is in the military.
Don’t Text and Drive
A very GRAPHIC public service announcement made in the UK about the dangers of driving and texting.
Teacher, 84, starts 59th year teaching
HASKELL, OK — 59 years at one job is inspiring, but 59 years teaching math and science to middle school students is impressive.
That’s the case for Sylvester Franklin, whose career started shortly after World War II came to an end. The only place he has ever taught is in Haskell, in Muskogee County.
And check this out: If nearly six decades on the job isn’t impressive, Mr. Franklin has only missed two days of classes in that entire time.
