Pray for Dong Yun Yoon

Here’s the heartbreaking video of Dong Yun Yoon.

This is what patriotism looks like

By Michelle Malkin •  December 9, 2008 10:44 PM

A naturalized American from Korea loses his entire family in the military jet crash that wrecked his house and killed his infant daughter, toddler daughter, wife, and mother-in-law. But he refuses to blame the pilot or bash the military. [...]

Keep Dong Yun Yoon in your prayers:

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 while the pilot was trying to reach nearby Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Another, unoccupied house also was destroyed.

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.”

… Yoon’s wife came to the United States about four years ago, Shin said.

Yoon spoke softly when he talked about his wife.

“It was God’s blessing that I met her about four years ago. She was a lovely wife and mother,” he said.

His voice fading, he added: “She loves me and babies. I just miss her so much.”

More here: http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/12/09/military.jet.crash/index.html

An excellent post from http://eugenecho.wordpress.com/

The story is brutally painful.  Dong Yun Yoon was at work when he discovered the horrible news of a F-18 jet crashing into a residential home – his home.  His wife, two young babies, and his mother-in-law who had recently arrived from Korea to help take care of the babies [a Korean custom] all were killed in this tragedy.  But in the midst of such deep anguish and pain, Dong Yun Yoon asked people to pray for the surviving pilot of the crashed jet and shared:

“I know he’s one of our treasures, for the country, and I … don’t blame him. I don’t have any hard feelings. I know he did everything he could.”

I listen to the Dong Yun Yoon’s video interview on CNN and coudn’t stop crying.  Regardless who’s involved, it’s a painful tragedy but looking at him is like looking at a familiar face.  His voice and broken English is too familiar.  His comments and words…

He married his wife, Young Mi Yoon, four years ago and had two children: Grace [15 months] and Rachel [2 months].

“My wife — it was God’s blessing that I met her about four years ago, and we got married,” he said quietly. “She’s just such a lovely wife and mother, who always loves me, and (the) babies. I just miss her so much.”

It’s very clear from the interview that Dong Yun Yoon is a follower of Christ.  His pastor from a local Korean immmigrant Methodist church was right next to him at the interview and a source of comfort and prayer.

“But I believe my wife and two babies and mother-in-law are in heaven with God,” he said. “And I know God is taking care of them.”

And somehow through a faith that transcends human understanding, he managed to extend grace to the pilot:

“Please pray for him not to suffer from this accident,” Yoon said. “I know he’s one of our treasures, for the country, and I … don’t blame him. I don’t have any hard feelings. I know he did everything he could.”

Dong Yun, my dear brother in Christ:  You are one of our nation’s treasures as well and a treasure to the Kingdom.   In the midst of your deep loss, we extend our hearts to you and lift you and your family up in prayer.  May God comfort you and may the world be drawn to Christ through your faith…

UPDATE: Korean United Methodist Church of San Diego. I think this is his church’s website:

http://www.kumcsd.org

Phone number: (858) 569-4069

Dong Yun Yoon
c/o Rev. Kevin Lee
Korean United Methodist Church
3520 Mount Acadia Blvd
San Diego, CA 92111