“THE PRECIOUSNESS OF LIFE”
by Sharon Rondeau
(Jan. 19, 2016) — Earlier on Tuesday, The Post & Email reported on the differences between a statement released by the Ben Carson presidential campaign and an ABC News affiliate in Charleston, SC, where Carson had been campaigning when he received word that an employee and three volunteers had been injured in a car accident in Iowa.
Carson forthwith announced that he would suspend campaign events for the remainder of Tuesday to fly to Omaha, NE, where the most seriously-injured individual, Braden Joplin, was taken. Carson is a neurosurgeon who has performed the most intricate operations on children and adults in life-or-death situations. He intended to stay in the hospital where Joplin was admitted on Tuesday evening.
The website FireAndreaMitchell.com reported that Carson secured a private plane for Joplin’s family, who live in Texas, to take them to Omaha. Tragically, Joplin passed away prior to their arrival.
On Tuesday night, the Carson campaign published a photo of Braden and Carson together with a brief message of condolence, then a press release which reads:
Omaha, NE – January 19, 2016 – One of the precious few joys of campaigning is the privilege of meeting bright young men and women who are so enthusiastic about their country that they will freely give of their time and energy to work on its behalf. America lost one of those bright young men today. I had the privilege of knowing Braden Joplin personally, and am filled with a deep and profound sadness at his passing. While we mourn this profound loss, I am thankful that our other campaign colleagues, Drew McCall, Aaron Ohnemus and Ryan Patrick Shellooe, have all been treated and released from the hospital.
A presidential candidate asks a lot of his or her volunteers, working long hours in the cold, under-appreciated. They are the unsung heroes of the political process. The outpouring of support for Braden and his family from fellow candidates, as well as their staffs and volunteers, demonstrates that life will always transcend politics, and I thank them for their kind words. Please continue to keep Braden’s family and friends in your prayers as they struggle through this difficult time.
Even after more than 30 years experience counseling parents and family members in the most difficult of times, it never gets easier. But I find solace in the knowledge of God’s redeeming grace, and I pray that Braden’s family finds comfort in the mercy of the Lord. Across America today, I ask everyone to take a moment to reflect on the preciousness of life and remember and honor the memory of Braden Joplin.
Joplin was 25. Media, Carson’s fellow presidential contenders and average citizens are offering tributes to his memory on Twitter.
By scrolling down to the bottom of the Carson campaign page below the announcement and using the “Contact” link, The Post & Email messaged the campaign with the following:
I am terribly sorry for the loss of campaign volunteer Braden Joplin. It is always heartbreaking when a young person passes away. My readers and I are praying for his family and all of those affected by this tragic event. Life is precious, indeed.
Carson will not be campaigning on Wednesday; he has not announced his plans for the remainder of the week at this time.