AMERICAN SHAME: The Edgar Hollingsworth Story :: May he R.I.P.

9/20/2005, 9:12 a.m. CT
The Associated Press    

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A 74-year-old survivor of Hurricane Katrina found trapped in a New Orleans home for about two weeks has died of complications related to dehydration and malnutrition, the California National Guard said.

Edgar Hollingsworth, an Army veteran of the Korean War, died Saturday at a hospital, four days after he was found Sept. 13 buried under rubble, said Air Force Capt. Brenda Hendrickson, spokeswoman for the California National Guard.

Hollingsworth was scheduled to be buried Tuesday with military honors at the Port Hudson National Cemetery, which is 10 miles north of Baton Rouge.

At the request of his wife, Lillian, military personnel and other authorities who helped rescue him will serve as pallbearers, along with his son, Wesley, the California National Guard said in a prepared statement.

(AFP) Sept. 20 — National Guard Lieutenant Frederick Fell broke the rules by breaking down a door to investigate after looking through a window and seeing a man’s foot.

Hollingsworth was barely breathing, Fell’s team told Knight Ridder newspapers, and a medical team inserted an intravenous tube under his clavicle because other veins were too weak.

Photo by Bruce Chambers, Orange County (Calif.) Register  OC Register

Dr. Peter Czuleger, an emergency-room doctor from California who carried out the lifesaving operation outside the house, said, “They were surprised at the hospital that anyone in his condition would still be alive. In 24 hours, he would have been dead. I think the young army guy that found him saved his life.”

Dr. Peter Czuleger, a California physician, examines Edgar Hollingsworth.   Bruce Chambers / Orange County Register

By KEITH SHARON
The Orange County Register

He told his family he wanted to go down with the ship.

Then he nearly did.

Edgar Hollingsworth, 74, was the man in the dramatic photograph that was shot as a National Guardsman carried his emaciated body out of his New Orleans home 15 days after Hurricane Katrina ripped apart his family and his neighborhood.

The photo ran on the front page of the Register as well as in dozens of newspapers across the country. One of those papers was the Baton Rouge Advocate, and the photo caught the eye of one of Hollingsworth’s relatives, who called Hollingsworth’s wife, Lillian.

“I broke down crying when I saw it,” Lillian Hollingsworth said.

Lillian is staying in New Roads, La., with her son, Wesley Sr., and other relatives. “I couldn’t believe it when I saw the picture,” Lillian said. “It seemed like a miracle that he was still alive. I wish he would have listened to us.”
[…]

The OC Register Story
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I only heard about this story today….

I lived down the street from Mr. Hollingsworth. The “turned foot” was due to some injury or arthritis he may have had. I saw him almost every morning as I walked my dog in the neighborhood. A wonderful person, he loved taking care of his plants on the front porch of his house. He would always say hello to me as I walked by with Diego. He always had something nice to say about my crazy puppy. Even with his limp, you would see him walking up the street to the Rendon Grocery or through the neighborhood. He was a fixture there.

I will miss you Mr. Hollingsworth. You were a great neighbor in a wonderful neighborhood. I really wanted to see you again the next time I walked my dog in the neighborhood. I knew I would see you. My thoughts are with you and your family.

With deepest sympathy,
Bill White and family

From blog UnfairWitness

Graphic Rescue Photo Becomes a Symbol of New Orleans

Editor & Publisher Sept. 15 — NEW YORK (PDN) The front pages of more than 20 newspapers ran a photo of a naked, emaciated American clinging to life as rescuers carried him from his home.

Editors say the startling image, showing a man being rescued in New Orleans 16 days after Hurricane Katrina, created discussions in their newsrooms but ultimately carried enough news value to make it worth publishing.

Odd balance in coverage between a rescue and death ::

Diary    comments   recommends
Rescue      237        528
Death        13         21

Identical imbalance found in the MSM, press and media. Lovelier to cover hanging a Medal of Honor – BTW for another Korean War Veteran!