A Hero Is Laid To Rest
The funeral of Professor Liviu Librescu, who gave his life to save his students at VA Tech, took place this morning. PJM Tel Aviv editor Allison Kaplan Sommer was there.
Support Pajamas Media; Visit Our Advertisers
The Middle Eastern sun shone bright in the cemetery where Professor Liviu Librescu, whose body had traveled as long and complicated a journey in death as it had in life, was finally laid to rest.
His widow Marlena shook her kerchief-clad head in disbelief as the rabbi read the Jewish prayers of mourning for the dead.
“It’s so painful for me to think of your last moments, in which you suffered. I’ll never know what went through your mind, but I hope very much that wherever you are, you will watch over your family,” she said by his graveside.
There was a core of strength evident in the small Eastern European grandmotherly woman that must have also existed in her husband. Despite the ordeal she had been through, she graciously greeted all who had come to support her family in their time of grief, speaking to some in Hebrew, some in English, and she emotionally embraced old friends greeting them in Romanian. Hundreds of friends, family, as well as total strangers had turned out to pay tribute to the heroic 77-year-old man who gave his life to save his young Virginia Tech students. The international press was out in full force to chronicle the burial of the man who was admired for his bravery the world over.
Speaking at the funeral, Librescu’s son mused what his father, the world-renowned aeronautical engineer, would think of the scene. “Dad, I think that at this moment you’re probably looking down on us from above and saying, ‘what’s the fuss all about? I only did what I had to do.’ From our childhood, you taught us to care for people, to work hard to succeed. But you never taught us to be heroes. That was more theoretical a lesson than aerodynamics,” he said. Then he added: “The course in aerodynamics are over. On April 16th, you started a new career, teaching a new subject - heroism.”
After the ceremony, Marlena remained by her husband’s grave, a pile of dirt covered with flowers, topped by a wreath with the banner, “From the Engineering Faculty at Tel Aviv University” to accept condolences.
It was clear that during the time he spent teaching at Tel Aviv University and the Haifa Technion, in the six years in Israel between their emigration from Romania and their move to the United States and Virginia Tech they had acquired no shortage of friends, who joined the friends and co-workers of their two sons in Israel, Arieh and Joe at the funeral. Person after person spoke of their affection for her late husband, recalled visits back and forth, inquired about her welfare. She spoke of her plans to pack up the Virginia home where she had lived with her husband for 20 years and join her children in Israel.
Like many other Israelis, it seemed surreal to me that an event which took place so far away should end up striking so close to home. When first hearing the horrible news about the Virginia Tech shooting on Monday, glued to the international news channels as the story unfolded, the only silver lining of solace I could think of, which I noted in a black-humor-laced remark to fellow journalist friends, “Well, finally some tragic bad news that has nothing to do with the Middle East.”
Little could I have imagined, that less than a week later, I would be standing in the small cemetery less than five minutes from my home in Ra’anana witnessing the burial of one of the victims of this far-away tragedy.
I’ve attended several funerals at this green and pastoral cemetery - but this was the first I’ve attended full of the reporters normally found at news events and press conferences scribbling in their notebooks and aiming their cameras at the scene, as the Fox News correspondent rehearsed his broadcast from behind the gravestones.
| Comment |  Digg This |
 del.icio.us |
 |
 |
 PJM Home |
12 Comments
Tim P.:God bless the Good Professor.
Apr 20, 2007 - 8:35 am Eilish:What a fine man. I thank him from the bottom of my heart. My God comfort his family in this time. It seems obvious that he left a legacy of kindness and honor. We were blessed as a nation to have him. His son made such a fine comment as well. May Professor Librescu’s lesson in heroism never be forgotten.
Apr 20, 2007 - 9:05 am The Fop:He’s the only person who showed any bravery during the whole ordeal. If a few strong young male students had been willing to help him, maybe they could have wrestled this monster to the ground and took away his gun.
Apr 20, 2007 - 9:28 am Elmira Viking:Professor Librescu is a hero. He gave his students a chance at life.
Apr 20, 2007 - 9:55 am Paul from Florida:Fop,
It is very hard, even in so-called macho societies to get the majority of men to kill other men, even when the cause is clear, the men/boys are believers and the armed enemy is in site. Studies of WWII infantry reveled that only a minority aimed and fired at the enemy, many only fired in the direction, and a few never fired.
Although there were hours to inform them, the students and teachers found themselves psychologically stunned and unprepared mentally. The majority of their behavior was as would be expected. Even trained soldiers, caught unawares flee. Few fight at an instance. Take the recent example of 9/11 passengers on United 93. The other passengers on the other flights were caught unawares, and were purposely mislead that they were in a ‘normal’ hijacking. The United passengers were given information that it was not a hijacking and that they faced certain death. They had time and information. The Virginia Tech administration could of informed and thus psychologically armed the students and professors, but, like most mandarin bureaucrats they held that information to themselves. Also, if a few students were armed, they would have had an effective tool and precise information as to who the shooter was (because he was at their door), but the same VT administration that wouldn’t inform them, also demanded they be unarmed. The administration made an implied promise to the students that they would be safe. They lied. No doubt they are now covering up.
Retreat and breaking contact from a strong, fast, superior armed attack is as right as rain.
Professor Librescu had been around this earth a long time. He, as a young person and as an older Israeli citizen, had long been familure with evil. And now, he has taught many others how a good man dies.
Lastly, I recall one report of two young men who held a door closed and were shot through the door, but held on. So, there were others, as always.
Apr 20, 2007 - 10:08 am mindy abraham:god, how brave of him. I hope that this inspires bravery in someone else, or inspires someone to help others. rest in peace:(:(
Apr 20, 2007 - 11:07 am tina:What an amazing human being. I only wish that I could die in such an honorable way. Thanks, Mr. Librescu.
Apr 20, 2007 - 12:06 pm Ron from NC:This incredibly human man refused to give in to nazis and communists, but didn’t refuse to give his blood to save some of the best of America’s youth, including those of Muslim and Christian heritage. May he be inscribed in the Book of Life and may his grieving sons and wife be comforted by their own memories of this distinguished gentleman.
Apr 20, 2007 - 12:46 pm Observer 98:Hail to Pr. Librescu. And thank you to the press and commenters, this time, to recognize that there were very few true heroes on Monday, so as not to belitle Pr.Librescu’s deeds with the usual demeaning of the word, where anybody who falls victim of violent crime is a hero and anybody who wields a gun attempting to enforce law is a finest. For the first time in a national tragedy in a while we have heroes on one side, and victims on the other. Both are thought-provoking and the whole situation sad, of course.
WHen it comes to the monday morning quarterbacks who advise the victims to tackle a psycho wielding two guns, may I remind them that public safety advice in all such cases is : get away from the gun, do not attempt anything foolish, protect yourself.
Again, all admiration to Pr. Librescu.
Apr 20, 2007 - 1:54 pm Wednesday morning quarterback:The simplistic “public safety advice” justifies and even promotes cowardice as a panacea for “all such cases”. I think Prof. Librescu spotted this for what it is: subordination of all value for others to fear for one’s self. Prof. Librescu’s death, and the deaths of others, was a madman’s objective, but because Prof. Librescu ignored the ‘advice’, the lives of others were saved. It doesn’t matter whether Prof. Librescu tackled the gunman at the ankles, or at the door, he tackled him.
May G-d bless Prof. Librescu mightily.
Apr 20, 2007 - 6:42 pm Blogodidact:Mr. Librescu,
Your split second decision showed us a life well lived, and not only saved lives in that moment, but is no doubt inspiring uncounted others to re-examine what living a good life truly means.
Thank you so very deeply
Apr 20, 2007 - 6:58 pm Zahara:Prof. Librescu your act of bravery will never be forgotten. If only others would do the same, and be more compassionate & caring for others..this world would be a better place.
You will never be forgotten. I hope and pray your family heals from this.. as well as all the others affected by this horrible tragedy.
We are praying for your family and all the others. May HaShem/G-d Bless and Keep you all.
Apr 25, 2007 - 1:02 am