Unselfish

On Monday, August 2, 2010, six courageous youth committed the ultimate sacrifice trying to help save the life of their fellow companion. Litrelle Stewart, 18, Latevin Stewart, 15 and Ladarius Stewart, 17 (all brothers), Takeitha Warner, 13, JaMarcus Warner, 14, and JaTavious Warner, 17 (siblings of another family) all gave their own lives during efforts to save the life of 15 yr old DeKendrix Warner. None of the children could swim. (shreveporttimes.com)

The tragedy occurred after the bottom of the Red River (Louisiana) dropped off about 25 ft. Apparently, Warner had taken only one step into the shallow waters and the rest is history. Attempts were made to throw a life jacket out to the group, but none of them could reach it. Bishop Larry Brandon (Praise Temple Full Gospel Cathedral in Shreveport) has called for local ministers to identify children in their congregations who cannot swim and provide them with professional swimming lessons.

Words cannot adequately express the magnitude of this tragedy or the degree of honor that deserves to be bestowed upon the victims of it. I would like to think that I would have done the same thing and I cannot imagine the level of fright experienced by them, as they had to make such a snap decision to help their friend while knowing they were so unprepared to do so. I certainly look forward to following how DeKendrix develops in his life.