Heroes everywhere

“Heroes within and without Tham Luang Cave complex.”

Like many around the world who closely followed the plight of the 12 soccer boys and their coach in Northern Thailand, I was elated by news of their rescue.

I sighed relief, thanked the heavens and cheered as experts and volunteers also jumped in jubilation at a mission accomplished. I, in the comfort of my home in front of my television screen, and they, in a local government office close to the rescue operations in Chiang Rai Province.

I can only imagine the relief, gratitude and euphoria at the mouth of the Tham Luang cave complex when the last members of the much-admired rescue team emerged.

In the coverage of the Australian broadcaster ABC News, one line struck me tenderly during a news report- that the respective families of the 12 teenage boys were not told who among the boys had been rescued until all had been successfully freed and brought to hospital.

A positive and comforting picture immediately surfaced in my mind– of the boys’ loved ones reassuring and praying for each other. In solidarity as they faced what must have been one of the most, if not the most, challenging times in their lives. How wise of the experts to ensure the families did not suffer any more anguish than they were already enduring. Quite heroic.

Reports came out that Coach Ekkapol Chantawong ensured everyone survived day by day as a team, foregoing his meager rations so the boys could have more. They were found huddled together in true team fashion, united in their desire to be rescued and freed. The video taken of them as they introduced themselves with their hands to their chest in prayer position left a strong impression on me. These boys are made of sterner stuff.

This week, one of the experts who played a crucial role in the rescue mission, Australian Dr. Richard Harris, received a heartbreaking news that his father passed away shortly after the rescue efforts were completed. The Thai Navy SEALs extended their condolences to Dr. Harris and made it clear that everyone in Thailand could thank him enough for his heroic deeds.

“How wise of the experts to ensure the families did not suffer.”

Dr. Harris, for his part, told Australian Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull the 12 boys and the Thai Navy SEAL divers who took care of them in the cave were “big heroes.” Here’s this doctor who didn’t hesitate in helping in the rescue efforts, who decided in what order the boys would leave the cave, saying the teenagers were the heroes. They “were responsible for their own morale… and without them being in the state they were in, we couldn’t have done anything.”(ABC News)

It felt good that instead of blaming, scapegoating and speculating, the message I was getting from my media sources is that of a unified front. A strong and firm resolve at the hub of what was to be the backbone of a huge international team effort to find the 13 Wild Boars despite the treacherous conditions. Unity inside the complex cave system and outside of it in the hopes of achieving the best outcome for the trapped soccer team.

Heroes within and without Tham Luang Cave complex.

The Thai diver volunteer who died inside the cave as he was supporting the rescue mission is clearly a hero. The group who tirelessly worked to pump water out of the cave system are heroes.

The rice farmer who cooked meals to help feed the rescuers and volunteers and found, after returning home to tend to her farm, that her newly planted fields had been damaged by waters pumped out of the cave system to help save the Wild Boars. Yet this humble farmer, Mae Bua Chaicheun, said she didn’t care as she just wanted the children to “get out alive.” (ABC News). What a heroine! Her heart and compassion are humbling.

I am grateful for the work of journalists who covered the story for people in my part of the world. I appreciate how they did not speculate and told the story with sensitivity. On how they left the problem-solving of this highly intricate mission to the experts. How they didn’t feed me with blame and other side stories which may have added to the drama but, on the grand scheme of things, would have been counterproductive. They, too, are my heroes.

As more back and side stories are brought to light in the coming days and weeks, I am sure we will learn more and more about the coach and boys’ experiences, what happened at the command center of the rescue efforts and everything about this triumphant story of rescue and survival. I am almost certain a movie will soon be in the making and I hope it captures how truly inspiring this collaborative international effort has been for us who have witnessed events as they unfolded.

Heroes are everywhere and our collective heroism can bring life to miracles.