August 6, 2008 Greg McKendry
When a crazed killer walked into the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church last week, he first had to contend with usher Greg McKendry. McKendry, a 60-year-old man described by fellow church members as a "very large gentleman," a "refrigerator," and looking "like a football player," used his size to block the shotgun blasts being fired at the congregation. His compassion loomed large, too. For his effort to save others, which led to his unfortunate murder, we award him this week's Wings of Justice award. His 16-year-old foster son, Taylor Bessette, told the Knoxville News Sentinel that McKendry got in the way of the gunman to save children who were performing a play in the church's sanctuary: "Greg McKendry is a hero, an absolute hero."McKendry and his wife Barbara were quite active in the church. They served on committees, purchased much-needed equipment, and taught a family finances class for the church. The McKendrys also took up progressive causes in their community. In an effort to distribute President Bush's most recent stimulus package in a way he thought would be more equitable, McKendry called on wealthier church members who felt they didn't need the extra money to donate their $600 rebate check to the church. Fellow church member Donna Creech was quoted by the Knoxville News Sentinel describing McKendry's commitment to environmentalism: "He was instrumental in making changes to our church to become more environmentally friendly, making us better stewards of the environment."It's hard to believe that someone would be moved to murder people for embracing and living out such ideals, but it seems McKendry's commitment to progressive causes combined with his desire to protect vulnerable people led to his untimely end. Jim David Adkisson, the man charged with the murders at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, reportedly carried out the bloodshed because of his hatred of liberals. For standing up for these values and protecting human life with his own, we salute Greg McKendry by giving him this week's Wings of Justice award. His family and friends are in our thoughts. We know that an award can't bring him back and probably does little or nothing to assuage the pain of those who miss him, but we want them know that Greg McKendry inspired us deeply, and won't be forgotten.
* * * Nominated by the BuzzFlash staff.
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