I don't call this out because we lost a soldier or because a family lost their father--although this is certainly and painfully the case. I call this out because EMS lost a true friend and advocate.
I first heard of this through the National Collegiate EMS Foundation. I lurk on their Facebook page because I feel it is an important organization. They sent out an email immediately after Dr. Pryor's death. It seems Dr. Pryor heard of the NCEMSF and "adopted" them.
I really can't begin to post a eulogy here but I'll provide a few links that do. Please take a moment to look these over and pay respect to a man who gave so much--even before he gave his life.
Philadelphia Inquirer
National Collegiate EMS Foundation
Dr. Pryor's faculty profile at Penn
And finally, An editorial in Dr. Pryor's own words.
Theodore Roosevelt, our 26th President, delivered a speech which became known as "The Man In The Arena"
at the Sorbonne in Paris, France on April 23, 1910. It is my favorite of all time. The part of this speech that many of us in the emergency services relate with is most appropriate at times such as this.
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.
In Memoriam and Honor of
John P. Pryor, M.D. 1966-2008
1 comment:
Wow! Great quote. My heart and prayers go out to his family and loved ones.
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