‘Greater love hath no man...’

The Editor: I write with great joy mingled with extreme sadness and relief.

Young Selwyn Heeradan has died at the tender age of 24, from burns sustained as a consequence of his heroism in shutting off a valve feeding an explosive fire that threatened his colleagues and environs while fully ablaze and facing certain death. “Greater love hath no man than that he should lay down his life for his friend.” Rarely in times of peace do we have this opportunity of certain martyrdom. And few dare to grasp it when offered, flinching with understandable self concern. In this selfish culture where many seek the harm of others wreaking mayhem on people and property, we have suddenly produced a youth who sought the welfare of people and property extinguishing mayhem in its element.

This youth deserves a national Hero’s funeral at State expense and his family full support for what he would otherwise have provided. His genes did not flower without origin. His nurturing and ennobling deserves acknowledgement. His family’s desire for an expensive casket may well impoverish them and the reluctance of pragmatic businessmen to splurge on such a symbol is understandable. But one expects that financial acknowledgement to the family in meaningful and  sustainable ways will be forthcoming.

I wish to etch this youth’s memory into our psyche. He has gone for his reward with God, which “is better and longer lasting.” He has entered our history in a literal blaze and has welcomed death to escape the pain. I celebrate his heroism and I am grateful for his relief by the very death I mourn. His school should proclaim his name to their students and record it in enduring ways for their role in teaching him. His Community should proudly sing his praise for their producing him. His family must remember him with sadness and pride. His employers should honour him and compensate his family meaningfully. The media should extol him and not confine themselves to bad reporting. And most of all, his Government should honour him as a National Hero in a new and special Hall of Fame that should also record those who have been heroes here before. Michael Hercules comes to mind.
 
MF rahman
Lange Park