Jonathan Daniels - a VMI grad.

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tonk002

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Today, March 20, is the birthday of Jonathan Daniels. Jonathan Daniels grew up in my hometown, and was a pastor at my church. He was a 1961 graduate of VMI, where he was the valedictorian of his class. Daniels answered Martin Luther King's call for help in the Civil Rights movement In August of 1965, he was killed while protecting Ruby Sales, a black student, from a white gunman in Alabama. Toady, the Episcopal Church recognizes Daniels as one of 15 martyrs.

I attended Jonathan Daniels Elementary School, and have been learning about this him since I moved to New Hampshire when I was 3.

Here are some links about Daniels and his time at VMI.

Archive from VMI

Yearbook page from VMI

Valedictory speech
 
tonk002 said:
Today, March 20, is the birthday of Jonathan Daniels. Jonathan Daniels grew up in my hometown, and was a pastor at my church. He was a 1961 graduate of VMI, where he was the valedictorian of his class. Daniels answered Martin Luther King's call for help in the Civil Rights movement In August of 1965, he was killed while protecting Ruby Sales, a black student, from a white gunman in Alabama. Toady, the Episcopal Church recognizes Daniels as one of 15 martyrs.

I attended Jonathan Daniels Elementary School, and have been learning about this him since I moved to New Hampshire when I was 3.

Here are some links about Daniels and his time at VMI.

Archive from VMI

Yearbook page from VMI



Valedictory speech
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on August 20, Richard Morrisroe, a Catholic priest, and Daniels accompanied two black teenagers, Joyce Bailey and Ruby Sales, to a Hayneville store to buy a soda. They were met on the steps by Tom Coleman, a construction worker and part-time deputy sheriff, who was carrying a shotgun. Coleman aimed his gun at sixteen year old Ruby Sales; Daniels pushed her to the ground in order to protect her, saving her life. The shotgun blast killed Daniels instantly; Morrisroe was seriously wounded. When he heard of the tragedy, Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "One of the most heroic Christian deeds of which I have heard in my entire ministry was performed by Jonathan Daniels."
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Great leadership and selfless service are not traits limited to the military as Rev Daniels story shows us. To really be a great leader is to recognize that there are things that are worth far more than our own personal comfort or well being. Rev Daniels died trying to protect an innocent girl and while trying to help bring justice to an unjust system. Today there is an arch and courtyard dedicated to Jonathan Daniels '61 at VMI, and I hope that there are cadets there now who would also act with the courage, conviction and selflessness that Jonathan Daniels exhibited in 1965 .

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tonk002 said:
Today, March 20, is the birthday of Jonathan Daniels. Jonathan Daniels grew up in my hometown, and was a pastor at my church. He was a 1961 graduate of VMI, where he was the valedictorian of his class. Daniels answered Martin Luther King's call for help in the Civil Rights movement In August of 1965, he was killed while protecting Ruby Sales, a black student, from a white gunman in Alabama. Toady, the Episcopal Church recognizes Daniels as one of 15 martyrs.

I attended Jonathan Daniels Elementary School, and have been learning about this him since I moved to New Hampshire when I was 3.

Here are some links about Daniels and his time at VMI.

Archive from VMI

Yearbook page from VMI

Valedictory speech
Click to expand...
Great story...
 
Jonathan Daniels was a great man. There are many in my congregation that knew him personally and can attest to this. It is great to see him recognized in Lexington.
 
tonk002 said:
I attended Jonathan Daniels Elementary School, and have been learning about this him since I moved to New Hampshire when I was 3.
Click to expand...

Coincidentally, I'm sitting about 1/2 miles from the school right now. :thumb:
 
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