This post has nothing to do with the Army, or Iraq, or even the United States.  It is about an old Greek man who lived in Russia.

Yiannis Kanidis was 74 years old when he died last week in Beslan, along with hundreds of others, when the school was taken over by pro-Chechen terrorists.  He was a gym teacher at the school and, although the terrorists took pity on him because of his age, he chose to stay with his pupils instead of leaving.  Actual accounts of his actions during the seige vary, but those who were there agree that he put the lives of his pupils above his own throughout the ordeal.  It is said that he begged, then demanded, that the terrorists give water to the little children, who were choking because of the heat.  For this, and for trying to move explosives away from his students, he was beaten by the terrorists.

In the end, Yiannis Kanidis died with hundreds of his beloved students.  He was shot, even as he tried to dismantle a ceiling fan wired to an explosive device.

There are many bad people in the world.  But do not forget the others, like Yiannis Kanidis.

And maybe this does have something to do with us afterall.  You see, as long as there are men and women who will stand up to them, terrorists cannot win.  Whether you agree with the current situation in Iraq, or the “War on Terror,” or not, please support those brave souls who, regardless of nationality, or gender, or age, or religion, are willing to stand up on your behalf.