Important Message From Libya
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22 April 2011
I’ve been reading traffic from a private worldwide group regarding the sad loss of journalists Chris Hondros and Tim Hetherington in Libya. The people discussing the loss include names you sometimes see on national television, in books, and so on and so forth. The bylaws of the group preclude my publishing names or emails without permission. When Nancy Youseff’s message came in from Libya, the importance of the substance of her message was clear.
With Nancy’s permission, I have deleted a few names and here it is, fresh from Nancy in Libya:
Dear [D] and [J]: Thank you for posting these messages. I came back from Tim and Chris' memorial here in Benghazi to [A’s] message. It was disappointing to say the least especially after watching Libyans and non-Libyans gather to remember Chris and Tim's spirit and humanity. There were protests in Misrata yesterday over their deaths. Yes, those who lost family members and friends gathered to share in their outrage over what happened to Tim and Chris. And at the memorial, the British envoy told a story that is worth repeating. (I am paraphrasing based on my memory.) A resident of Misrata came to him to express his sympathies. The Brit said, "But you have lost thousands?" And the Misrata said "This is different. They came to help us and tell our story. We are indebted to them."
This morning Benghazi's bishop, who stayed here to help the wounded and sick despite the mass fleeing of Christians at the start of the uprising, held a prayer for Tim and Chris.
That is, this is not the story of how we are forgetting the thousands killed in Misrata; it is about how two people from distant lands have touched the people of Libya through their work and their dedication to telling the story of Misrata. They are a reminder that even in war, one can find beauty.
Nancy A. Youssef
Pentagon Correspondent
McClatchy (formerly Knight Ridder) Newspapers
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Michael Yon
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Thank you!
Michael
Comments
Lessons can be learned from T.E.Lawrence. (He was let down by British 'looking-both-ways' policies). Arab nations need populist sense of mission free from fundamentalism. I believe specialist forces are ready and waiting with boots on the ground; and I favor use of drones, as in Afghanistan.
These journalists were of the highest probity; and your mail is right n target..
Peace, mi amigo
Doug
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i read your blog for today war history but i enjoy much other stuff.
What those men did will be long remembered. It takes a special kind to do what Hondros, Hetherington,yo urself and a few others do. There are no medals. There no real glory. But there is the satisfaction of knowing they did their best to tell stories that needed to be told.
I was just watching the end of "Restrepo" when my mom came in and told me of the death of Tim Hetherington and the wounding of Chris Hondros. I felt like I was punched in the gut. The loss of these two great journalists is a loss for all those who chose live by peace dignity and truth. Please be careful and continue to set the bar for real journalism and those who report the truth rather than MSM dogma. It is utterly shocking to see the Sheer folly that is the UN and the Paper Tiger that NATO has become. Iran, North Korea and China must be watching with extreme pleasure. The entire Muslim world is awakening and demanding Democracy and we may not see another chance like this in our lifetimes. Yet our President drifts aimlessly and his leadership is completely non existent. These are truly sickening days.
Michael please take special care of yourself. We need you to continue as the voice of the war-fighters and the local people too. With appreciation,
Tracy and Robert
One of the reasons why I can't leave the business despite the hardships!
God bless Misrata!
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