The fighter jet crash in University City claimed the lives of Young Mi Yoon; her 2-month-old daughter, Rachel; her 15-month-old daughter, Grace; and her mother, Suk Im Kim.
If you would like to offer your thoughts, prayers or condolences, post them using the form below.
Dear Mr Yoon,
I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your wife, children and mother-in-law. I know that it’s hard to make sense of this. I pray the LORD sustain you and give you strength and peace. Take care and GOD bless.
David
Mr. Yoon-
Your grace in the face of this horrible tragedy is the hallmark of a true American hero. Please know that I hold you in my thoughts, and hope that with time the pain of this difficult time will lessen. Your recent actions and words mark you as a very strong and loving man: I hope that your strength will carry you through these times, and that that love is returned to you many times over.
I am so sorry for the loss of your family. You were lucky to have them, they were lucky to have you… and I feel lucky to have you as a neighbor and fellow American.
I honor you.
Mr. Yoon,
Your strength in our Lord Jesus Christ is amazing. How easy it would be to ask questions or cast blame, but you are a man of faith that knows his girls, wife and mother-in-law are now in the Kingdom of God. Your sadness is overshadowed by love–love for your family and most of all, for God. Thank you for being a beacon on the hill, casting rays of strength for others to lighten their own relationships with God. !De Colores!
Former San Diegan in Alabama
Our hearts go out to you at this very difficult time. Please know that you will remain in our prayers always. Take courage and comfort from our Lord, He is always with you.
My heart goes out to you for your loss.
Dear Mr. Yoon,
We are deeply sorry for your loss and words cannot even begin to describe our heartfelt condolences. We admire your utter courage in speaking out at such a painful time for you. To extend such grace and compassion to the pilot even as you are hurting is an example of true merciful love. I hope you will extend that same mercy and compassion to yourself as your father-in-law has nothing to forgive you for. You did NOTHING wrong - you of all people did nothing wrong.
You mentioned that you needed advice from others who have gone through similar tough times and how they made it through. There are two recent examples that come to mind. They both essentially quote the passage below. Craig Ferguson, a popular late night host, just lost his mother this past weekend and read the passage at her funeral and our First Lady of CA, Maria Shriver quoted it at the memorial of Tim Russert this past summer in the hope of giving comfort to his family and friends. She unfortunately comes from a family that knows too much about sudden loss; having lost three uncles (President Kennedy and our Attorney General/Presidential Candidate, RFK among them) and a cousin at very young ages.
I hope this gives you comfort as well during this tough time and that you are surrounded by love and compassion - and know that a nation grieves for your loss as well and keeps you and your family in our prayers.
Maria Shriver’s speech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQZxZWv8_1Q
Craig Ferguson’s speech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJe5kOzq15k
Parable of Immortality ( A ship leaves . . . )
by Henry Van Dyke - 1852 - 1933
I am standing by the seashore.
A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze
and starts for the blue ocean.
She is an object of beauty and strength,
and I stand and watch until at last she hangs like a peck of white cloud
just where the sun and sky come down to mingle with each other.
Then someone at my side says :
- ‘There she goes!
Gone where?
Gone from my sight - that is all.
She is just as large in mast and hull and spar
as she was when she left my side
and just as able to bear her load of living freight
to the places of destination.
Her diminished size is in me, not in her.
And just at the moment when someone at my side says:
- ‘There she goes! ‘,
there are other eyes watching her coming,
and other voices ready to take up the glad shout :
- ‘Here she comes!’
Mr. Yoon, I am so sorry for what has just happened. My heart goes out to you, and I feel deeply saddened to hear of this. I cannot even begin to imagine how you feel, but please do know that you are in my prayers and thoughts, and I hope everything will be okay in the future. Your daughters, wife, and mother are all watching over you as you display an immense amount of strength. You are doing an amazing job so far of dealing with the situation, but please be okay soon and know that we are all with you.
Mr. Yoon, my deepest sympathies on the loss of your family. may God give you the strength to see you through this. I will keep you, your father-in-law and all your family in my prayers.
you are a kind compassionate man, who even in grief is strong enough to forgive.
May God keep you safe and Bless you during this terrible time.
Dear Mr. Yoon,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We pray that you will find strength and peace.
I am so saddened by your loss. Your faith in God is so evident, and my prayers are with you that you will know how much he loves you and is with you. May he be your strength and your comfort.
Mr. Yoon, my heart breaks for you in this time of loss! I pray that friends and family will be by your side at this time but, most of all, that you will find comfort and strength in the Lord. Remember the words in Job 1:20-22 when he lost his children: “At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said:
‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.’
“In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.”
You have shown this spirit as well in your kind words about the pilot. I know it may seem like forever away, but you have the promises in His Word that you will be together with your loved ones again when we see Him in Glory!! Rest in His love and His goodness, knowing that God sees the complete picture and knows why He allows these things in our lives. My prayers are with you! May He give you His comfort and peace today and in the days ahead.
Dear Mr. Yoon: My heart breaks for you, it really does. My sincerest condolences on your loss. I know that your family is with God right now, and that they are so proud of you for your strength and courage during this time. I know you must have been a wonderful husband and father because you have such a generous heart. My prayers are with you. God bless.
Mr. Yoon, you are a class act, and I am humbled by your comments. As someone else said, you are an inspiration to all of us. I am so sorry for your terrible loss…I hope the love and support of your family, friends and community will help you find the strength to carry on and that you will find peace someday.
Mr. Yoon,
We are so very sorry for your devestating loss. We are humbled by your faith and strength, may God bless you, your father-in-law and other relatives and friends through this time of mourning. You have such a beautiful family and I know they are in Heaven. You are in our thoughts and prayers. We wish we could help alieviate your pain. We do mourn with you at this time. You are an honorable husband and father. You have a wonderful church family and we hope you will rely on them and others as much as you need. (And I will also pray for the pilot as you asked that he too may get through this tragedy).
With Our Sincere Love,
The Talataina Family
My the Lord bless you, as for how you do it, get through, storm the gates of heaven brother God will provide the peace that surpasses all understanding until you can see your family again. Tears are pouring down my face and in my heart with supplication for you, God provide peace to this man and his father in law, in the Mighty Name of Jesus amen
We can learn so much from such a compassionate man as you. In you worst hour, you are still in faith. You put the Lord first and forgive the pilot. I just can not tell you how sad this makes me. Such a tremendously tragic loss and yet you are so strong. That is the power of our great God. I admire your courage and you are truly one of God’s messengers to tell us to stay in faith, no matter what. I read this today and sat here at my desk and cried. If I lost my wife and 2 daughters, I just do not know what I would do. I hope that I could be as half as strong as you are. You are such a strong man, God bless you and your family. I have learned a great deal about what really matters in life. God bless you and your family in Heaven.
Mr. Yoon: How very sorry I am for your great loss! There are no words available to me to express the depth of the sorrow you must be feeling. On the TV you asked for help in knowing how to cope with this tragedy. I can only ask that you hold on to your faith remembering that Jesus left a perfect heaven and perfect love to be the perfect sacrifice for us. I can’t get my thoughts around that when I really take the time to think about it. God the Father, turning his back as his precious son took on our sin. Praise Him that he did it! He knows your pain…He lived it and loves you far more than you could ever know on this side of heaven! May our Lord and Savior bring you His peace that passes anything we could possibly comprehend!
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU. MAY GOD GIVE YOU THE PEACE AND COMFORT YOU NEED IN THIS TIME OF SORROW. GOD BLESS.
Mr. Yoon:
You are an amazing man. Your faith is an example to all. I am so deeply sorry for the loss of your family. Please accept my prayers for you.
Jesus, Good Shepherd, receive Young Mi & Suk Im Kim into your arms. Cradle them in your love. Bless them and take them to your Father. Comfort the heart of Dong Yun & bring him peace and consolation. May his family live forever with you in heaven.
Lord, you said, “Let the little children come to me.” To you we entrust Rachel & Grace who have left us. They were but children and so precious in your sight. You, Lord Jesus, became a little child for our sake. You welcomed children and promised that the kingdom would be theirs. Take Rachel & Grace into your arms and lead them into heaven where there will be no more tears, no more suffering, no more pain. Grant them the fullness of joy and eternal peace. You know the burden of Mr. Yoon’s grief over the death of children. One day unite them again.
May Dong Yun’s family be held in God’s loving embrace now and forever: May this family be consoled in their grief: May the friends of The Yoon family who shared friendship & fellowship be consoled and comforted.
Christ Jesus, may Dony Yun find in you comfort in his sadness, certainty in his doubt, and hope amid the sorrow of this hour. Eternal rest, grant to them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
Mr Yoon,
We are so sorry for your loss. We watched the day unfurl as you did. Our thoughts for the whole day was we had hoped the families that lived in those houses were at work or shopping; just not at home. We learned of the loss as it happened. Our thoughts and prayers are of you. I know words alone cannot heal you, only time. We saw you on the tv last night and cried as you cried. We are feeling your pain along with you. You are a strong man, maybe alot stronger than we would be in this situation. May the thoughts and prayers of everyone surround you with love and hope.
Mr. Yoon,
I cannot imagine what you are going through, but I wanted to add my condolences here. I am so sorry for your losses. I am amazed at your public response toward the pilot, feeling for him in what must be his shock and guilt. Only Jesus could’ve brought this out of you at such a time, and it is He who will carry you through the aftermath of this terrible accident. I prayed for you, that you would know Gods’ love and comfort now, that you would know His peace that passes our understanding, and that you would be well aware of His everlasting arms underneath you.
Mr. Yoon,
My thoughts and prayers are with you for comfort and peace. Your family is in the palm of Gods hand. The Bible encourages us to trust God who daily bears our burdens. Trust God in whom there is a peace beyond human comprehension. Trust God who promises in quietness and confidence shall be your strength. It says in Isaiah 41:10 Fear not for I am with you; do not look around in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes I will help you, yes I will hold you up and retain you with my right hand of rightness and justice. I also wanted to share a prayer for peace to you. Father, how thankful we are for your love, that you love us enough to care for us when we can’t care for ourselves. Sometimes there are things we are not able to handle, but you have made an awesome promise , and all of heaven stands behind it. Grant us the wisdom to live in peace that passes all human understanding. Keep and guard our hearts in Christ Jesus through every trial in life. We ask this in the name Jesus, Amen
Our family is praying for you - please know that you are in the thoughts, hearts, and prayers of so many around the world. I can only begin to imagine how devastating a loss you are enduring….I am so very, very sorry. I will continue to keep you and your family in my prayers. I just watched the video of you speaking about the accident and of your loss and your forgiveness for the pilot. You are an inspiration to us all. The forgiveness you have shown in a time of such agony speaks volumes about your faith in God’s love and mercy. May God reward your faith with abounding comfort and peace that your wife, daughters, and mother in law are safe in the arms of our loving Lord Jesus.
I am so sorry for your loss. There are no words at a time like this that can possibly bring the comfort you need only the loving arms of your savior to hold you close. His arms are safe. Even though you may question Him now and may feel confused and maybe lost, He will let you cry in His arms and not be mad for all the feelings you have. I have suffered great loss in my life and many times felt like giving up because I had lost everything. What I found was that the answers and the peace only came when I fell on the Lord and He and I cried together. I cried for you this morning as I prayed for you. Your beautiful wife and daughters are not far from you, they are in the heart of God and the closer you come to Him the closer you will be to them. I will continue to pray for you.
Although we have never met, please take comfort that completely random strangers have you within our thoughts and prayers, because we are all children of God. As one part of the body hurts so does the rest. We grieve with you on your loss, but we know God above will help heal you. Please remain firm and do not lose faith. My sincerest condolences go out to you.
I cried when I saw and heard you on the news. My heart and prayers go out to you and your family.
You’ll soon see them in heaven because Jesus Christ is coming. I know you love God and He loves
you and understands your feelings, even when you say, “Why God?” “Why me?”.
Mr. Yoon,
I am praying for you as you live through the unimaginable. I am praying that the Lord will grant you some semblance of hope, and daily help with the crushing burden your heart must carry.
Your grace towards the pilot can only be a reflection of the character of your beautiful family. As you asked, I will be praying for him and his family, as well.
You, sir, are an American hero.
Dear Mr. Yoon ,
The World is praying for you and your loved ones . I have been moved from all the words you has expressed towards your loved ones and the pilot .
An Angel from Heaven flew down to Earth and put Wings on your Loved Ones and made them into Angels . They are watching over you and guilding You .
All my thoughts and prayers go out to you .
God Bless ..
TB
my prayers are out to mr dong yun yoon.the pain of your loss is unimaginable and seemingly never ending.i hope for the best for u in this enduring time.may god bless your soul as u have become a hero and a great example for us all for ur compassion for the pilot in ur time of loss.ur family must be so proud of you.
I am so sorry for your loss. I can’t imagine how you must feel. I recently lost my father and I felt as if I didnt know what I was suppose to do. I heard you interview and heard those same words come out..”I dont know what I am suppose to do?” You will get through this with the help friends and family and your church. You now have 4 beautiful guardian angels watching over you and they will guide you through the healing as well as God. My condolences to you!
God Bless
Mr. Yoon,
I am humbled by your compassion, graciousness and mercy in the midst of your tradegy. I know we are all asking why there, why them? We will never know, but God does not ask us to understand, just to Trust Him. And that is what you have shown, a tremendous trust and faith in the Living Lord. When I first heard of the possibility that a family had been lost my first prayer was that they knew Jesus, and that prayer was definitely answered! I know that your loved ones felt no pain, Jesus took them home, they found themselves looking into His glorious face and they now live in His presence, whole, happy, watching over you, awaiting the awesome reunion, whenever the Lord decides the time is right. Your place is still here where God will use this chapter of your testimony to touch lives and bring others to the knowledge of His saving grace. He already has!!!! I leave you with this scripture: John 16:33 “I have told you all this that you may have peace. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world”. God Bless you and your family and friends, may you always find strength in our Saviors loving arms.
Your Sister in Christ
No way to rationalize this my friend but I do believe God is watching over you. He does NOT control day to day life but has his hand in the big picture. Time heals all. Love and prayers to you my brother.
Paul
Dear Mr. Yoon,
I’m very sorry about your loss. May God be your comfort and greatest support these days and always! I don’t know why it happened…only God does and in time it will be revealed to you. Don’t blame yourself for what have happened! You were a good husband and father. Your wife and little girls are in God’s hands. He will take care of them in heaven while you are fulfilling His plan on Earth. Be strong and have faith. God bless you!
i just wanted to let you know that i for sure know how you feel i lost my wife and two children to a drunk driver back in 1988, the pain and grieve and sorrow will never go away, But you have convince yourself in some ways and try to make sense of this even though there is no sense of it. make yourself truly beleive that God has control of this and he is the ultimate being to hang onto and force yourself to trust in him to provide you with answers and a solution this whole ordeal. Its been 30 years for me and everyday I tell myself that i am thankful for what i do now is nursing and have been doing nursing care for almost as long as i have been without my family. This has been an inspiration to me for it is all I can do with my empty heart to try and fill it with something like giving and sharing with others who have had a terrible time. you are not alone in this and you are special in a way that no other is, God Bless you
Mr Yoon,
I will pray for you and your Father-in-Law. May time ease your pain.
Andy
Crawfordsville IN
Our thoughts are with Mr. Yoon as well as the pilot. May they have comfort and strength during this difficult time.
I am so sorry for your devastating loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time. May God Bless you and give you the strength to carry on.
I can’t express how sorry I am for the loss of your wife, children and mother n law. I, among many others, watched the news hoping and praying they would find your family alive and well. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Take some type of comfort knowing that all of us here writing our thoughts/prayers and condolences are with you at this time.
Dear Mr Yoon,
I’m really sorry for your loss. my thoughts and prayers are with you. please stay strong.
Dear Mr. Yoon,
I am so terribly sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
God bless.
My heart aches for you. Please do not torture your self with any “what ifs”, this was such a random, strange, and unpredictable happening. Remember what a blessing every single second with you’re wife and daughters was, that can never be taken. You are better and more for having had just one minute with each of them. I am truly humbled, and weep with you. Take life one minute at a time, and accept the love and support of those around you. My prayers are with you. Stay strong.
Psalm 71:20-21
“Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again.”
Our prayers are for you to find peace in this time of confusion and know that God will lead you through.
Mr. Yoon, I am sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and your family. God bless you.
My heart breaks for you…You’re a strong and caring man.
Mr. Yoon,
The grace you have shown while dealing with this tragedy is truly remarkable and inspiring. I don’t know if I could have conducted myself in the manner you have, but I think from watching you, I sure would like to live my life in such a positive and strong way. I think a lot of others that have watched your interviews are reflecting on their own lives and thinking that the world would be a lot better place to be if more people were like you. My heart aches for you. You are in my thoughts and prayers!
Mr. Yoon,
You and your family are in my prayers. Please accept my condolences in this time of deep sorrow. I cannot imagine what you are going through, but I thank you for the love and forgiveness you have shown toward the pilot. Thank you for being an example for the rest of us.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
God has his reasons for everything, even if we do not understand it.
Stay strong, and May the Lord Bless You
Dear Mr. Yoon–I live near you and I grieve for your loss. I want to let everyone know there is now a community for you on Facebook. Some of these comments suggest you will have trouble with insurance and the mortgage. All of us believe you should be forgiven any debt as a result of your loss, and if need be, we will organize to petition any creditor to forgive the debt. It is we who are in your debt seeing how achingly well you spoke….
Our prayers are with you. We don’t know you but we care about you and have cried tears of sadness for you. We are praying for God to just hold you close to His heart in this most difficult time. We are so glad you know the Lord and that you can have the assurance that your family is in heaven with Jesus and that you will see them again. Cast all your care (your deep sorrow) on the Lord, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7. Thank you for your forgiveness to the pilot. It is a message of love that will speak loudly to those who do not know Jesus.
We care deeply and are praying for you. Elmer & Anna Stoltzfus
from Lancaster Co. Pennsylvania
Mr. Yoon,
God holds your wife, children, and mother-in-law in his hands now. And he will undoubtedly bless you for your incredible faith in him, just like Job. Please take care and hold fast to His love. People all around the world are praying for you.
I am very sorry to hear of the loss of your family. My thoughts and prayers go out to you at this tough and traggic time. May god bless you.