Carnegie Hero Fund Commission Recognizes Jim Musgrove

Dear Saint Stephen’s Community,

In 1904, Andrew Carnegie recognized that we were living in a heroic age and created a commission and trust to recognize the “heroes of civilization” whose life-saving actions put them directly in harm’s way. Since 1904, over 100,000 people have been nominated for this highest award given to a civilian in the United States of America and Canada, and yet just 10,355 people have been the recipient of this award, with nearly twenty percent being awarded posthumously.

Today, our parishioner, Jim Musgrove, has been awarded the Carnegie Hero Award for his life-saving actions on June 16, 2022, at Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church. You can read this official press release from Carnegie Hero Fund Commission. It seems fitting that Jim has received this incredible recognition on the same day that ground has been broken on a permanent memorial remembering the lives lost on June 16th and those who survived. We anticipate this memorial will be completed by the one-year anniversary of June 16th, when Presiding Bishop Michael Curry visits Saint Stephen’s.

As we remember Sharon, Bart, and Jane, and as we continue to pray for those who survived and everyone whose lives have been impacted by the events of June 16, may we join in giving thanks for the incredible, heroic, and life-saving action of Jim Musgrove that has been recognized today. I offer this prayer as an adaptation of the Prayer for Heroic Service from the Book of Common Prayer.

O Judge of the nations, we remember before you with grateful hearts the men and women of our country, especially Jim Musgrove, who when faced with danger and life-threatening outcomes, have used their God-given abilities to protect and save the lives of others. Grant that we may be inspired by their heroic service and not rest until all the people of this land share the benefits of true freedom and gladly accept its disciplines. This we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Faithfully,

The Rev. John B. Burruss, Rector

To learn more about the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission, click here.

To learn more about the response to June 16 by Saint Stephen’s, click here.

To learn more about the Labyrinth Memorial Garden, click here.

To make a gift to the Labyrinth Memorial Garden, click here.