Tragedy in Milwaukee
Posted: Thursday, July 30, 2009 2:25 PM by Sam Singal
The video is truly frightening. An SUV tipped over on it's side, engulfed in flames; while panicked neighbors work desperately to free a mother and her two young children trapped inside. Out of nowhere appear two brothers; off-duty Milwaukee firefighters who assist in freeing the mom and one child. But the second child, four year old David (DJ) Harper is trapped in his booster seat. Repeatedly the brothers enter the blazing vehicle until the boy is freed. They then douse his burning body with a garden hose and prep him for the ambulance. DJ survives, but this is not where the story ends. The little boy is seriously burned and his cash-strapped family has nowhere to turn. Except now those two brothers, John and Joel Rechlitz, and their own families are spear heading charity efforts to assist DJ and his family. Milwaukee has been mobilized overnight; and everything from cash to clothing is being donated.
In a world where so many often appear willing to take the credit, here are two soft-spoken brothers and their families going far beyond the call of duty to help out another family in need. But hey, don’t try to give them credit for doing it…"Wouldn’t you do the same thing?", they ask.
That is this evening's Making a Difference.
Here are two websites where you can follow DJ's progress and find out more information.
www.helpingdavid.com
www.caringbridge.org