After almost 2,000 years, it’s still hard to beat the words of John 15:13: There is no greater love than this, that a man would lay down his life for his friends.
I was reading today about the murder of Ambassador, J. Christopher Stevens. He was a brave and skillful diplomat who risked, and ultimately lost his life for this country. What a huge loss. 
As I read the New York Times report, I also thought back to the men and women who lost their lives on 9/11, particularly so many who acted heroically on that day.
After almost 2,000 years, it’s still hard to beat the simple words of John 15:13: There is no greater love than this, that a man would lay down his life for his friends.
Author: Harold Pollack
Harold Pollack is Helen Ross Professor of Social Service Administration at the University of Chicago. He has served on three expert committees of the National Academies of Science. His recent research appears in such journals as Addiction, Journal of the American Medical Association, and American Journal of Public Health. He writes regularly on HIV prevention, crime and drug policy, health reform, and disability policy for American Prospect, tnr.com, and other news outlets. His essay, "Lessons from an Emergency Room Nightmare" was selected for the collection The Best American Medical Writing, 2009. He recently participated, with zero critical acclaim, in the University of Chicago's annual Latke-Hamentaschen debate.
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Yes. In a way it must be nice to know that you died for a good cause. I hope they knew.
Agreed.