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January 10, 2011
Unsung Hero
Dorwan Stoddard, RIP
Dorwan Stoddard and his wife, Mavanell, grew up together as friends in Tucson, and were high-school sweethearts in the 1950s. The two parted, moved away, and married others. But 15 years ago, having survived the death of their spouses, the two were reunited — and then married — in their hometown. When Jared Loughner began firing on the crowd gathered around Rep. Gabrielle Gifford at the Safeway supermarket in Tucson on Saturday, Mavanell thought the sounds came from firecrackers. Dorwan knew otherwise and quickly pulled his wife to the ground and threw himself over her. Mavy — as she is known to her friends — was hit three times in the legs, and is now in stable condition and expected to survive. Dorwan was shot, fatally, through the head, at the age of 76. Dorwan was memorialized at the Mountain Avenue Church of Christ — a small Tucson-area church where he and Mavy had worshipped and served — on Sunday.UPDATE: Much more on this remarkable couple is to be found at ｻ The Heroes In Our Midst NoisyRoom.net: The Progressive Hunter
Like many men, Dorwin Stoddard had stood before an alter and promised God and those present, that he would love, cherish and protect Mavy for as long as they both should live. On Saturday, he made good on that promise in no uncertain terms.
Posted by Vanderleun at January 10, 2011 2:27 PM. This is an entry on the sideblog of American Digest: Check it out.
Your Say
The gentleman died like a hero. I have no doubt that he lived his life the same way. My prayers to his family.
RM
Posted by: RM at January 10, 2011 2:35 PM
A real man.
Posted by: Roger Drew Williams at January 10, 2011 7:41 PM
Perfect Love. I can't imagine carrying on in life having lost such a man.
Posted by: RedCarolina at January 11, 2011 9:30 AM
I have had the privilege of 45 years with just such a man.
Posted by: mary at January 11, 2011 3:17 PM
What a painful thing! Having lived through the loss of my husband of 37 years, I know how hard it is to bring new love into your life. What a hard thing for her to live through again.
Posted by: Teri Pittman at January 11, 2011 4:18 PM