Hero of the Day in Austin, TX

Danny True

Thursday 2/18/2010

Most of this day the news media has been covering the calculated crashing of a small airplane into an office complex in Austin, TX. That building houses a number of State and Federal offices, including the Internal Revenue Service.

The various official agencies are still investigating the incident but it appears at this time that the pilot of the Piper Cherokee 140, a single engine 3-passenger plane, deliberately crashed into the building. Apparently he had some disagreement with the IRS and vented his anger in this way.

However, the amazing part of all this is that apparently no one except the pilot has died. Several are still in the hospital, diagnoses unknown, and one person is unaccounted for. Even more “fantastic” is that a young 28-year-old man who works for a glass company just happened to be driving by right after the plane hit the building. Robin DeHaven, who was trained by the military as a combat engineer, saw several people trying to get out of a window on the 2^nd floor.

Robin stopped, took an extension ladder off his truck, and climbed up to a window that was shattered by the explosion. He actually went into the burning building, broke another window for a safer egress and assisted a lady and four men to evacuate that building by going out the window and down his ladder.

When questioned by Megyn Kelly of FOX News as to his motivation, DeHaven said that he saw someone in need and felt he had to assist. He said that his military experience helped him in doing what he needed to do.

Dr. Kelly, JD, responded that it was certainly unmistakable that he was supposed to be there at that exact time. I would like to expound upon that: God has His angels “out there” to serve His people. Robin, not an angel,  responded to a feeling in his heart and obviously guided by an angel and gifted by the Spirit of God.

Go figure; here is a tragic event unfolding, and people trapped in the building, and Robin DeHaven just happened to be driving by. Is it circumstantial that Robin works for a glass company, was driving the company truck that was well equipped with ladders, etc., and that he had previous training as a combat engineer?  Among their other duties, combat engineers go into burned and damaged buildings in war-time!

In a sense, DeHaven is no one special – that is, he is a divorcee, has a young  3-year-old child and is a blue collar laborer. He could have been killed –  some would say he was crazy to do what he did. But, in his words, he said that he just knew that he had to help.

I wonder how many of us would risk our lives to go to the assistance of someone else? Better still, how many times have WE driven by an accident or a similar situation and have just gone on, justifying in our own minds that “someone else can stop and take care of that”?

Three cheers to Robin DeHaven!! Regardless of where he is in his “spiritual walk”, he will have at least five “stars” added to his crown when he stands before the Father some day!

In the words of Jesus, regarding the heart of the Good Samaritan for the victim: “ – - – Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you ”. (Luke 10:30-35)

Note:  A second body (other than the pilot) has now been found in the debris.