The hero DAD

In 1984 an earthquake almost flattened Armenia, killing over 20, 000 people in less than four minutes.  

In the midst of utter devastation and chaos, a father left his wife securely at home and rushed to the school where his son was supposed to be, only to discover that the building had collapsed. After the initial shock, he remembered the promise he had made to his son, "No matter what, I'll always be there for you". His eyes began to fill with tears. He looked at the pile of debris that once was the school, kt looked hopeless, but he kept remembering his commitment to his son. He began to remember where he left his son at school every morning. Remembered that his son's classroom was at the back right corner of the building, he rushed there and started digging through the rubble.

As he was digging, other parents arrived clutching their hearts saying. "My son! My daughter!" Others tried to pull him off saying, "It is too late!"

"They're dead!".

"You cannot help!".

"Go home!"

"Come on, face reality, there's nothing you can do!"

"You are just going to make things worse!"

To each parent, he responded with one line, "Are you going to help me now?"And then he proceeded to dig for his son, stone by stone.

The fire chief tried to pull him off saying "Fires are breaking out, explosions are everywhere. You're in danger. We'll take care of it. Go home". To which this loving, caring Father asked, "Are you going to help me now?"

The police said, "you're angry, distraught and it's over. You are endangering others. Go home, we'll handle it!". No one helped; courageously he proceeded alone because he needed to know for himself. 'Is my boy alive or is he dead?'

Six hours. . . . . . . . . twelve hours. . . . . . . . . . sixteen hours. . . . . . . . . twenty four hours. . . . . . . . . thirty six hours. . . . . . . . . . he went on digging, at the thirty-eighth hour. . . . . . . . he pulled back a boulder and heard his son's voice. He screamed his son's name, "Alman!" he heard his son's voice back "Dad? It's me, Dad". The father then heard his son screaming with joy. " Dad! I told the others not to worry. I told. them if you are alive, you'd save me and when you saved me, they'd be saved. You promised, "No matter what, I'll always be there for you " you did it, Dad!"

There are fourteen of us left out of thirty-three, Dad. We are scared, hungry, thirsty and thankful you're here. When the building collapsed, it made a wedge, like a triangle and saved us. "

"Come on out, Boy!"

"No Dad, let other kids come out first. I know you'll get me!

No matter what, I know you'll always be there for me!"