With all due respect to the memory of James Kim and to his surviving family members, his death, while an interesting though tragic story, simply isn't significant in the grand scheme of things and to world events. He wasn't holding high office at the time of his passing, and there was no change in public policy or interests of state as a result of his death. Certainly a testament to the human spirit and condition, but this story is a lone star event on this list.

I don't know quite where to put this story, but I had to write about it as it's been choking me up for a couple of days now.

James Kim was a 30 something guy from San Francisco and an editor at CNET. Shortly before Thanksgiving, he set off by car from SF with his wife and two very young daughters for an Oregon resort. While driving through the Oregon mountain range, they missed an on ramp for a highway, and ended up on some backroads in bad weather. The car got stuck.

They ran the car until the gas ran out to try and keep their infant daughters warm. They then burned their tires for warmth, and to try and signal for help. When they ran out of food, Mrs. Kim nursed her daughters. Nine days into the orderal, a desperate James Kim set off into the wilderness in layered clothes, tennis shoes, and no hat to try and find help. He left his family with the words "Help is on the way."

Amazingly, his family was rescued shortly afterwards when a a helicopter spotted them.

Searchers searched desperately for the lost father by helicopter and foot. Support poured in from all over, as Kim's family and the CNET community rallied San Francisco. Plans were made to drop supplies. Frustration was high, as the search party knew he couldn't have gotten far.

Today, James Kim was found dead in a ravine. He had left a trail of clothes for searchers, but in his weakened condition, apparently succumbed to the conditions before rescuers could get to him.

Much love to his family, and respect for a man who gave his life to try and save them.

More info here:

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/12/06/missing.family/

Support to the family can be sent here:

http://www.jamesandkati.com/