Irena SendlerDied: May 12, 2008 (aged 98)Warsaw, Poland During WWII, Irena, got permission to work in the Warsaw ghetto, as a Plumbing/Sewer specialist. She had an ulterior motive.Irena smuggled Jewish infants out in the bottom of the tool box she carried. She also carried a burlap sack in the back of her truck, for larger kids. Irena kept a dog in the back that she trained to bark when the Nazi soldiers let her in and out of the ghetto. The soldiers, of course, wanted nothing to do with the dog and the barking covered the kids/infants noises. During her time of doing this, she managed to smuggle out and save 2500 kids/infants. Ultimately, she was caught, however, and the Nazi’s broke both of her legs and arms and beat her severely. Irena kept a record of the names of all the kids she had smuggled out, in a glass jar that she buried under a tree in her back yard. After the war, she tried to locate any parents that may have survived and tried to reunite the family. Most had been gassed. Those kids she helped got placed into foster family homes or adopted. In 2007 Irena was up for the Nobel Peace Prize. She was not selected. In MEMORIAM – 65 YEARS LATER I’m doing my small part by forwarding this message. I hope you’ll consider doing the same. It is now more than 65 years since the Second World War in Europe ended. This e-mail is being sent as a memorial chain, in memory of the six million Jews, 20 million Russians, 10 million Christians and 1,900 Catholic priests who were murdered, massacred, raped, burned, starved and humiliated! Now, more than ever, with Iran , and others, claiming the HOLOCAUST to be ‘a myth’. It is imperative to make sure the world never forgets, because there are others who would like to do it again.   Join us and be a link in the memorial chain and help us distribute it around the world.  It will only take you a minute to pass this along. Who is your personal Hero?

Lt. U. S. Navy …MURPHY, MICHAEL P.

Rank and Organization: Lieutenant, United States Navy
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as the leader of a special reconnaissance element with Naval Special Warfare Task Unit Afghanistan on 27 and 28 June 2005. While leading a mission to locate a high-level anti-coalition militia leader, Lieutenant Murphy demonstrated extraordinary heroism in the face of grave danger in the vicinity of Asadabad, Konar Province, Afghanistan. On 28 June 2005, operating in an extremely rugged enemy-controlled area, Lieutenant Murphy’s team was discovered by anti-coalition militia sympathizers, who revealed their position to Taliban fighters. As a result, between 30 and 40 enemy fighters besieged his four-member team. Demonstrating exceptional resolve, Lieutenant Murphy valiantly led his men in engaging the large enemy force. The ensuing fierce firefight resulted in numerous enemy casualties, as well as the wounding of all four members of the team. Ignoring his own wounds and demonstrating exceptional composure, Lieutenant Murphy continued to lead and encourage his men. When the primary communicator fell mortally wounded, Lieutenant Murphy repeatedly attempted to call for assistance for his beleaguered teammates. Realizing the impossibility of communicating in the extreme terrain, and in the face of almost certain death, he fought his way into open terrain to gain a better position to transmit a call. This deliberate, heroic act deprived him of cover, exposing him to direct enemy fire. Finally achieving contact with his Headquarters, Lieutenant Murphy maintained his exposed position while he provided his location and requested immediate support for his team. In his final act of bravery, he continued to engage the enemy until he was mortally wounded, gallantly giving his life for his country and for the cause of freedom. By his selfless leadership, courageous actions, and extraordinary devotion to duty, Lieutenant Murphy reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

MURPHY, MICHAEL P.

You’re a 19 year old kid. You’re critically wounded and dying in the jungle somewhere in the Central Highlands of Viet Nam. It’s November 11, 1967.  LZ (landing zone) X-ray. Your unit is outnumbered 8-1 and the enemy fire is so intense from 100 yards away, that your CO (commanding officer) has ordered the helicopters to stop coming in. You’re lying there, listening to the enemy machine guns and you know you’re not getting out. Your family is half way around the world, 12,000 miles away, and you’ll never see them again. As the world starts to fade in and out, you know this is the day. Then – over the machine gun noise – you faintly hear that sound of a helicopter. You look up to see a Huey coming in. But.. It doesn’t seem real because no MedEvac markings are on it. Captain Ed Freeman is coming in for you. He’s not MedEvac so it’s not his job, but he heard the radio call and decided he’s flying his Huey down into the machine gun fire anyway. Even after the MedEvacs were ordered not to come. He’s coming anyway.And he drops it in and sits there in the machine gun fire, as they load 3 of you at a time on board. Then he flies you up and out through the gunfire to the doctors and nurses and safety. And, he kept coming back!! 13 more times!!Until all the wounded were out. No one knew until the mission was over that the Captain had been hit 4 times in the legs and left arm. He took 29 of you and your buddies out that day. Some would not have made it without the Captain and his Huey. Medal of Honor Recipient, Captain Ed Freeman, United States Air Force, died last Wednesday at the age of 70, in Boise , Idaho

May God Bless and Rest His Soul. Next time you pass a man or woman who serves or has served our country, say thanks!

Landwirth enlisted the support of colleagues in the hospitality industry, including our world-famous theme parks, to assist him in bringing these special families to Central Florida within 24 hours if need be. He called the project “Give Kids The World,” because that is just what he intended to do – provide memorable, magical, cost-free experiences to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

As the program expanded and the number of families continued to grow, it was apparent that Give Kids The World would need to create a place that could better serve the special needs of our families. The gates of Give Kids The World Village opened in 1989.

Today the Village is a 70-acre resort complete with over 140 Villa accommodations, entertainment attractions, whimsical venues, and fun specifically designed for children with special needs.

With the help of many generous individuals, corporations and partnering wish-granting organizations, Give Kids The World has welcomed more than 112,000 families from all 50 states and over 70 countries.

My Mother had a difficult life and out of the misery, managed to raise 5 amazing children. My brother and 3 sisters are remarkable people and the love she showed for her grandchildren was unlike anything I have ever seen. She was tireless and strong. She fought for 10 years to live and see her love, Catherine grow to become a teenager. She did not want to die. She was so full of life. We miss her every second of every day. She was more than a hero. She was our center! Her slogan is “Alma Lives on”

Cache is an amazing brave child! I call him our life savior and hero. I can not begin to describe how much this child has and will endure in his life time. Cache was born at 37 weeks, 7 pounds 14 ounces, 19.5 inches long, and came out fighting. When I was 32 weeks along, his heart rate had dropped dangerously low. After many tests and a big scare, the doctors decided that he could be monitored for a few weeks until he was ready to come out. When I was 36 weeks, they decided to induce me. They knew something was wrong with his little heart, but they were not sure what.

Less than 12 hours after birth, he was being transferred to the pediatric hospital, and I was being discharged. When we arrived at the hospital, we were told that my son had a genetic heart condition called Long QT. In order for him to be on the medication to save his life, he needed a pacemaker. Three days after birth, my son was having open-heart surgery. A few days later his heart began to reject his pacemaker and they had to go in again and drain the fluid building up around his heart. My superman made it though the first month of his life in the NICU and was soon able to come home. This is how his journey began.

Cache has two genetic dispositions of Long QT. Long QT1 and Jervell Lang-Nielsen syndrome. When Cache was 2.5 years old, he was diagnosed with severe to profound deafness. This is a side effect from the Jervell Lang-Nielsen syndrome. Although the ability to speak is a challenge for him, he does not let anything stop him from living his life. In July 2008, Cache had a deadly arrhythmia, but we were blessed by angels and his heart bounced back. In November 2008, another surgery was performed to place a defibrillator and have a sympathectomy performed. Cache did well and has never had another arrhythmia since.

Today, I am sitting in a hospital room because my son’s defibrillator was removed due to an infection. We will be in the PICU (pediatric intensive care unit) for 2-6 weeks trying to get rid of the infection. After the infection is gone, he will have his 5th heart surgery to place in a new defibrillator. When I saw this website, I knew this would be a great way to tell everyone what a brave and amazing child my son is. By him enduring so much in his short 4 years of life, he has saved his brother’s, sister’s, uncle’s and cousin’s lives, as they too all live with Long QT. Without his trials, we would have never known about this silent killer that takes so many young ones lives. It is now our mission to inform people about Long QT and try to save lives. We are truly blessed by Cache. He is our brave hero and life savior. He lives his life to the fullest and never lets all his trials get in his way. Anyone who has met him will tell you he is an inspiration and full of courage. He has made our world a better place. http://media.causes.com/706676?s=cause

Cache’s slogan: Valiant Hearts with Rhythm

My friend Lora is the most courageous individual i know. She suffers from breast cancer. A few years ago she beat it only have cancer appear in another part of the body. She always, and I mean always, has a smile on her face. I am crying like a baby as I write this with thankfulness that she is determined to beat this dreaded disease. She has 3 children, a wonderful husband, and a great family to encourage her daily. She is always there to volunteer at an event. She works full-time in her family business, and works hard to hold the family close and with love. I am so proud of her and her wonderful family! She is my hero because I truly don’t know what it takes to beat this and beat it with love, but she is doing it! Carpe Diem Lora

Mac was not just an incredible kid, she was an old soul and she was my daughters best friend. She spent much time with our family and we considered her part of the family. Not a moment goes by that we don’t think about Mackenzie and smile. She touched each member of our family in different special ways. I know she is missed, but i know she has instilled an underlying purpose in our family with each other and the importance of each and every day we live. For this reason she is our hero. She has already shined on this earth through her new little brother “Turner Mackenzie” to bring joy to her family and friends.

Mackenzie lived, laughed and loved immensely during her short life.  She was a straight-A student, a black-belt in karate, an avid skier and snowboarder, a swimmer and an inspiration to so many.  Even in her physical absence, Mackenzie continues to encourage us to live life to the fullest and pay-it-forward.  Dr. Benjamin Papoi, Mackenzie’s dad, has opened a free healthcare clinic to honor his daughter and her dream to provide first-class healthcare to those who cannot afford it.  Mackenzie’s Place will provide the opportunity for many to live, laugh and love…longer through good health.

Scott Hax "A Memoir"

Scott Hax  “A Memoir”

My dad was one of the most giving people I will ever know.  Every chance he got, whether it was through his church, our community or just someone he passed on the street, he was always looking for another way to help someone.  Watching my father interact with people was like watching a master at work.  No matter where he was, someone was touched by his kindness.  Whenever he would enter a room, it would light up and it seemed that there was never an unhappy face while he was around.  Even through his battle with brain cancer he NEVER complained, he never wanted anyone around him to worry or be sad.  The best thing about his helpful, giving nature was that it was regardless of money.  He would give someone shelter if they needed it, a good laugh, a shoulder to cry one or sing them a song to cheer them up.  He had an amazing voice and sang ever chance he had; we all loved to hear him.  Growing up with a dad as awesome as mine really makes me feel that I need to take up where he left of and continue his legacy of giving.

It has been over 7 long years since we lost him, but I can still see him wherever I am .  It is as if his smile has a resonance that can stick with you forever.  ”Daddy, I will never forget you and I love you with all of my heart.” Jordan