SOURCE: The Washington Post
POSTED BY: Kelly Crupi on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013
-Tim Jirus, a U.S. Navy commander who was working on the fourth floor of Building 197 during the mass shooting at the Navy Yard (9/16/2013)
SOURCE: The Washington Post POSTED BY: Kelly Crupi on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013
6 Comments
Julia Hoover
9/24/2013 01:40:12 pm
I recently read an article about how this was the mass shooting that went unnoticed in America. It some regards this is true. I never saw this quote but after other shootings in America, I feel like I saw many interviews, news coverage, replays, etc. Somehow the whole country didn't mourn together the lives lost, such as we previously have had with other mass shootings. The most recent was Sandy Hook Elementary mass shooting. President Obama teared up while giving his speech concerning that shooting. What made the difference? Because they were children? I just felt as though America didn't take a big enough pause to let this horrific event sink in.
Kate Weeks
10/1/2013 12:24:15 am
This is such a haunting quote, mainly because it goes to the core of survivor's guilt. I agree with the Julia Hoover's comment, where are all of the television programs or social media campaigns to help the victims' families heal? Or to help people like Tim Jirus heal?
Austin Flye
10/2/2013 06:50:02 am
I can't imagine the pain and guilt Jirus must feel. To be that close to death and to escape, while those surrounding him were not as lucky, must be incredibly hard to deal with. Kate Weeks mentioned survivor's guilt and that is is exactly what this quote is about. Jirus must be asking himself 'why not me?' We need to take a step in his shoes to understand the pain he must be feeling and I dont think that America has done that yet.
Marshall Finkelstein
10/6/2013 10:46:12 am
It is amazing how real and horrifying a few words can be. Jirus' words paint a picture that puts me in his place and it is terrifying. To go through what he went through and to see what he saw changes a person's life and it's important to remember to live life to the fullest because you never know what could happen tomorrow. There is a touch of guilt in his tone and its hard to blame him. Being in that situation one cannot help but wonder "why not me?"
Rachel Tates
10/8/2013 10:55:15 am
It's eye-opening to how life can really be taken at any given moment. I'm also saddened because of how common place this comment can be. Public shootings are all too common these days. There has to be something we can do to combat this epidemic.
Sarah Headley
10/8/2013 05:42:41 pm
After reading this article, I could feel the fear felt by everyone influenced by the shooting. Jirus' quote especially pulled on my heart. He is a normal man, and yet this terrible tragedy has influenced his life forever. He will always remember the sight of the man next to him dying, while he was lucky and survived. This quote really captured his disbelief and guilt. Leave a Reply. |