Ace of Spades HQ

August 11, 2012

No Greater Love (tmi3rd)
— Open Blogger

Every now and then, we hear about incredible acts of bravery; acts that defy belief because of any of a number of reasons. This is one of those stories.

IÂ’d like to introduce you to four-year-old Xander Vento. His story is below the fold.

Emergency workers were called about 3 p.m. Monday to the swimming pool at the Villages of Woodland Springs in far north Fort Worth.
Police said Xander jumped into the pool when he saw a 3-year-old girl struggling. He got under her to help her stay above water when he got into trouble himself, police said.

Xander employed a rare gift, perhaps the rarest- the courage to run towards danger rather than away from it. Brave Xander died on Thursday.

Xander Vento was pronounced dead at 3:20 p.m., a spokeswoman for Cook ChildrenÂ’s Medical Center said.
Â“We in some way hope our sonÂ’s life serves as an inspiration,Â” XanderÂ’s parents, Cris and Misty Vento, said in a statement released by the hospital. Â“He was the angel in the pool who sacrificed himself to save another. And now he continues to give as an organ donor.Â”

I would not presume to attempt to make sense of the emotions XanderÂ’s parents must be experiencing. If I may presume to voice my own- the incredible sadness of losing such a wonderful little boy is mixed with a powerful pride in what courage he demonstrated. He saw someone in distress, didnÂ’t hesitate, and saved that girlÂ’s life, at the price of his own.

There is a fund set up to help the family pay expenses.

I could go on, but the comments are a better place for itÂ… let us honor this little warrior, this little man who gave his life that others may live. Rest well, little Xander- so proud of you, and prayers for you and your family.

John 15:13- Â“Greater love hath no man than this; that he lay down his life for his friends.Â”

Posted by: Open Blogger at 04:41 PM | Comments (92)
Post contains 335 words, total size 2 kb.

1 I don't have any words.

Posted by: joh at August 11, 2012 04:45 PM (HtUdo)

2 If one of my kids had to die.. this would be a way that I could come to grips with..

God bless his parents.

Posted by: catman at August 11, 2012 04:45 PM (YKUmW)

3 Xander rests now in the arms of the angels. God's blessings and peace to his family.

Posted by: Natasha at August 11, 2012 04:45 PM (pyYXJ)

4 Obama is a stuttering clusterf*ck of a miserable failure.

Posted by: steevy at August 11, 2012 04:45 PM (6o4Fb)

Way to throw a wet blanket...

Posted by: Kalneva at August 11, 2012 04:45 PM (cQmXn)

6 Hero.

Posted by: USA at August 11, 2012 04:45 PM (6Cjut)

7 Damn. If I could, I would have Curiosity write his name on a Martian rock.

Posted by: eman at August 11, 2012 04:46 PM (Rihme)

8 That's just too sad.

RIP little guy.....you were brave beyond your years.

Posted by: Tami at August 11, 2012 04:46 PM (X6akg)

9 Where were the adults?

Posted by: Craig Poe at August 11, 2012 04:47 PM (BVkEs)

10 The donation link does not work.

Posted by: eman at August 11, 2012 04:47 PM (Rihme)

11 Where were the adults? Posted by: Craig Poe at August 11, 2012 08:47 PM (BVkEs) Getting drunk, no doubt. Sheesh.

Posted by: eman at August 11, 2012 04:48 PM (Rihme)

12 Yikes. I'll go fix that right now. And Craig, there are related stories at the link. They talk about who was there and what all went down.

Posted by: tmi3rd at August 11, 2012 04:48 PM (cxomr)

13 Both links are down. I'll fix them right now.

Posted by: tmi3rd at August 11, 2012 04:48 PM (cxomr)

14 I denounce myself.

Posted by: Craig Poe at August 11, 2012 04:49 PM (BVkEs)

15 Wow, like a boy version of Joe Delaney (look him up if you don't know the reference). The world is poorer without Xander.

Posted by: logprof at August 11, 2012 04:49 PM (KaIAt)

16 Suffer the little children to come unto me. Some of us know, absolutely know, where he is right now.

Posted by: teej says free Miss Marple at August 11, 2012 04:50 PM (Os+6p)

17 Links are fixed. Sorry about that. That's what I get for doing them freehand.

Posted by: tmi3rd at August 11, 2012 04:52 PM (cxomr)

18 Links are fixed. Sorry about that. That's what I get for doing them freehand. Posted by: tmi3rd at August 11, 2012 08:52 PM (cxomr) Yoodaman.

Posted by: eman at August 11, 2012 04:52 PM (Rihme)

19 Oh, and Craig, that's what I was saying, too. It sounds like it was just a terrible accident.

Posted by: tmi3rd at August 11, 2012 04:53 PM (cxomr)

20 Joe Delaney, the one Jersey I would spend money on. And wear proudly.

Posted by: teej says free Miss Marple at August 11, 2012 04:54 PM (osdNx)

21 Right now, Xander is running, and jumping, and playing; and hugging Jesus' leg.

Posted by: Craig Poe at August 11, 2012 04:54 PM (BVkEs)

22 One of the cobloggers - while I agree with comment #3, it simply doesn't fit here. Please remove it.

Posted by: RightWingProf at August 11, 2012 04:56 PM (bHgwn)

23 My boys are 14, 13 & 9 and I hope they grow up to be like this kid.

Posted by: 29Victor at August 11, 2012 04:57 PM (ES9R7)

24 Posted by: tmi3rd at August 11, 2012 08:53 PM (cxomr)

I understand that. I sometimes chide those who are too quick to "blame the parent(s)". Like death from being left in a hot car. Again, I denounce myself.

Posted by: Craig Poe at August 11, 2012 04:59 PM (BVkEs)

25 Wow....The parent's donated his organs too. Strong people.

From the link:

"Christy Daae, who is a registered nurse supervisor in the emergency room at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth, and Tarrin Thompson, a psych technician with John Peter Smith Hospital at Trinity Springs, who were at the pool with their children, began cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the children."

Ummmm.....WHAT!?

Posted by: Tami at August 11, 2012 04:59 PM (X6akg)

26 "Right now, I am running, and jumping, and playing; and humping' the black Jesus' leg."

I'd rather be with Xander...

Posted by: BO the doggeh at August 11, 2012 04:59 PM (NYdB8)

27 Seems to be a bit dusty in here. My eyes are watering.

Posted by: Inawe at August 11, 2012 05:01 PM (q006X)

28 What about the parents of the 3-year-old who let their girl in a pool without adult supervision? The last 2 times I went to a hotel pool, there have been a shitload of young kids without supervision, and both god damned times I had to fish a little one out of the water because they tried to drown while their parents were in the corner drinking, and perform CPR to get them breathing again.

I don't go to hotel pools any more.

I would be suing the parents of the girl my son died trying to save. Lifeguards are not fucking babysitters.

Posted by: GORDON at August 11, 2012 05:02 PM (n/yEx)

29 If one were to believe in angels, one would point to Xander Vento.

Tragic yet inspiring. God blessed the family. May He bless them again.

Posted by: AnonymousDrivel at August 11, 2012 05:02 PM (eHIJJ)

30 If ever there were an equivalent to the Congressional Medal of Honor, this brave child would epitomize it. May G-d bless and keep his memory, and sent comfort to his parents and loved ones.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at August 11, 2012 05:03 PM (mT/Wj)

31 How did the boy get lost in the shuffle with all of these healthcare and EMT types present?

Posted by: ontherocks at August 11, 2012 05:03 PM (aZ6ew)

32 Ummmm.....WHAT!?
Posted by: Tami at August 11, 2012 08:59 PM

yeah I was thinking the same thing. They were in the pool while all this was going on? How big was the frigging pool?

Posted by: Berserker at August 11, 2012 05:04 PM (FMbng)

33 FOUR YEARS OLD!?
And already a Man in Full.
God bless him and his family.

Posted by: typo dynamofo at August 11, 2012 05:05 PM (23Rnf)

34 30 If ever there were an equivalent to the Congressional Medal of Honor, this brave child would epitomize it. May G-d bless and keep his memory, and sent comfort to his parents and loved ones. Posted by: J.J. Sefton at August 11, 2012 09:03 PM (mT/Wj) --The aforementioned Joe Delaney was posthumously given a Presidential Citizen's Medal by Reagan.

Posted by: logprof at August 11, 2012 05:05 PM (KaIAt)

35 I'd be willing to guess nobody heard a peep and then somebody noticed. There are a whole bunch of back articles related to it... they're linked above. Having some background in water rescue and as an EMT, drownings are usually silent. Someone who's really in trouble doesn't make a whole lot of noise, and the real drowners I've gone after (a total of two) weren't struggling.

Posted by: tmi3rd at August 11, 2012 05:08 PM (cxomr)

36 Damn, just damn.

Posted by: Adam at August 11, 2012 05:08 PM (/YJYi)

37
yeah I was thinking the same thing. They were in the pool while all this was going on? How big was the frigging pool?

Posted by: Berserker at August 11, 2012 09:04 PM (FMbng)

I'm....I'm....speechless. I looked the pool up on google....it's not THAT big.

Don't know if this will work, but here's the pool...you have to zoom in.

http://tinyurl.com/blsp7wd

Posted by: Tami at August 11, 2012 05:08 PM (X6akg)

38 Wow. Just wow.

Posted by: chemjeff at August 11, 2012 05:09 PM (d/5qf)

39 @32

It all depends if there were a lot of kids and a lot of commotion, you would be surprised how easily a child can drown. It all blends in the adults would have not known anything was wrong until it's too late.

Damn shame.

Posted by: General Woundwort at August 11, 2012 05:09 PM (DWgdc)

40 PROUD TEXAN.

Posted by: LaZrtx at August 11, 2012 05:10 PM (bK81x)

41 Rest easy, little hero.

Posted by: crosspatch at August 11, 2012 05:10 PM (ZbLJZ)

42 Geeez............got nothing..............but respect and tears.

Posted by: Nukie at August 11, 2012 05:12 PM (AzwZn)

43 Well,the 4 year old saw the kid struggling so someone else could have noticed.RIP.

Posted by: steevy at August 11, 2012 05:14 PM (6o4Fb)

44 Sometimes there is just a perfect storm of shit and someone dies. He died saving another person and exploring what led to that is best left to another time, I think.

Posted by: eman at August 11, 2012 05:17 PM (Rihme)

45 I'm not crying. Absolutely not.

Posted by: BCochran1981 at August 11, 2012 05:17 PM (GEICT)

46 We were at our club pool not long ago, and even with a life guard, the kids were going nuts (and this is the ADULT pool, but the parents bring them there because there's a full bar).

No one paid any attention at all, until the life guard blew her whistle for everyone to get out, and just like in Caddy Shack, there was a turd floating in the pool.

The toasted parents and their kiddies packed it in, and the pool clean-up began.

God bless this little boy.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at August 11, 2012 05:21 PM (UOM48)

47 *Redacted. This isn't the time or the place for that sentiment.-via tmi3rd*

Posted by: Clemenza at August 11, 2012 05:24 PM (EhXOy)

48 Xander is a cool name very cool! Some kids are mature beyond their years. RIP Xander.

Posted by: sonnyspats at August 11, 2012 05:25 PM (Qr9Rc)

49 I'm telling ya these things happen.

You get lots of kids in a pool going crazy, distracted parents, all it takes is a few seconds and the kid is gone.

Posted by: General Woundwort at August 11, 2012 05:27 PM (DWgdc)

Posted by: Jane D'oh at August 11, 2012 09:21 PM (UOM48

profound yet poignant /s

Posted by: sonnyspats at August 11, 2012 05:28 PM (Qr9Rc)

51 Xander (the Great) didn't save that little girl. It was the roads, swimming pool, and other infrastructure that did it.

Posted by: Joe Schild at August 11, 2012 05:28 PM (zKiA6)

52 @47

Go fuck yourself asshole.

Posted by: General Woundwort at August 11, 2012 05:28 PM (DWgdc)

53 The little boy is a hero. Didn't mean to diminish it from my post.

God bless him.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at August 11, 2012 05:32 PM (UOM48)

54 What a brave little boy. Four!! My heart goes out to the parents.

Posted by: Gem at August 11, 2012 05:33 PM (zw+pb)

55 God tested him early, but he proved worthy.

Posted by: @PurpAv at August 11, 2012 05:36 PM (YRtOG)

56 Please, trolls, not now. Your snark doesn't belong here. That little boy didn't just look like an angel. He was one. Fly high with your new wings, Xander.

Posted by: bigpinkfluffybunny at August 11, 2012 05:37 PM (1Ialr)

57 Did anyone actually see this? If not, I call BS.* If yes, why didn't they jump in and save the kids? *I've just seen stories too often get embellished to make people feel better.

Posted by: Redd at August 11, 2012 05:38 PM (78TcD)

58 I was hoping this story would turn out different.

Being a sexist I will note he was a male, going to rescue a girl.

We are fucking hard wired.

God bless him.

Posted by: Billy Bob, pseudo-intellectual at August 11, 2012 05:40 PM (3ZjAP)

59 I am crying pull my post!!!

Posted by: Clemenza at August 11, 2012 05:41 PM (EhXOy)

60 God Bless him and his family....what a good boy.

Posted by: phoenixgirl, team dagny at August 11, 2012 05:44 PM (Ho2rs)

61 We argue, bitch fuss fight and disagree. But we all love. This little boy is worth our love.

Posted by: Oldsailors Poet, Wonders what Dagny thinks at August 11, 2012 05:44 PM (9TTOe)

62 @61

well put.

Posted by: Billy Bob, pseudo-intellectual at August 11, 2012 05:47 PM (3ZjAP)

It sounds like someone raised him right, though I do wonder how they figured out what happened.

RIP, Xander.

Posted by: Grey Fox at August 11, 2012 05:47 PM (9hhVu)

64 I am thinking Dangy is history. She was great while she was here, like Kemp, but she is gone.

We need to move on, she has.

Posted by: Billy Bob, pseudo-intellectual at August 11, 2012 05:49 PM (3ZjAP)

65 A swimming pool full of witnesses.

Posted by: @PurpAv at August 11, 2012 05:49 PM (YRtOG)

66 May his parents gain some small measure of comfort by the knowledge that they'll see him again.

Posted by: RushBabe at August 11, 2012 05:57 PM (tQHzJ)

67 I read this story, and I only have one thing to say about all this: where the FUCK were all the adults when this was going on? I helicopter-parent my 2 year old while she's in the fucking SPLASH pool (depth:6" max) for christ's sake. I stay within arm's length of our 5 year old except when I have my gimlet eye on him while he swims lengths in the big pool.

Yes, I feel bad for the parents. But were they present? A 3 year old almost drowned, and a 4 year old DID drown. Who the HELL is responsible? Not the 3 or 4 year old. There should be prosecutions and sanctions on the pool. Where were the lifeguards? If none, why not?

I find this sad, but I am also angry. There should be repercussions for a 4 year old (and almost a 3 year old as well) dying. It shouldn't go uninvestigated and unpunished. Someone is culpable here.

Posted by: docweasel at August 11, 2012 06:00 PM (h0KX8)

68 btw, above a commentator says the story at the link "tells where the adults were and how it all went down"- that's untrue. It says he saw a 3 year old in trouble and jumped in to help. A 4 year old has to save a 3 year old? I can think of at least 2 sets of parents who let their kids down here.

Posted by: docweasel at August 11, 2012 06:02 PM (h0KX8)

69 I gotta go with docweasel on this one. Poor kid. Feel bad for the parents. That being said, I have a 3 and a 4 year old in the pool I don't even avert my gaze for a minute lest something like this happens.

Posted by: Truck Monkey at August 11, 2012 06:05 PM (jucos)

70 Doc, I worded that poorly- there are links within the original link to the story that tell the back story a little more completely.

Posted by: tmi3rd at August 11, 2012 06:06 PM (cxomr)

RIP Xander.

If you have ever had a little one they are quick. Don't ever get distracted.

Posted by: Infidel voting for America's R & R at August 11, 2012 06:06 PM (qnvHI)

72 Now cracks a noble heart. Good-night, sweet prince;
And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.

Posted by: Weirddave at August 11, 2012 06:10 PM (niboB)

73 I've lived many times longer than this boy and never saved a life. Hard to comprehend someone so young being such a hero.

Posted by: JustLikeDavidHasselhoff at August 11, 2012 06:14 PM (WYTHl)

74 we swim at the local Y, and while I hover around the 2 year old, there are TWO lifeguards pacing both sides of the splash pool, and every 2 hours they make everyone get out to rest and just to let things settle down. In the main pool they have 2 in elevated chairs and 2 pacing the sides of pool watching out.

I wouldn't let my kids swim anywhere I either wasn't able to personally watch them every minute or which wasn't adequately staffed, especially concerning children under 5. I see nothing in the links to excuse this. A child 3 years old who can't tread water has no business in there.

The Y has a further requirement you be able to tread water for 60 seconds with your ears above water, and swim 2 lengths before you allowed in the big pool without an adult within arms length.

I pity the kids. As Keanu Reeves memorably said, you need a license to drive a car or have a dog. You need a license to catch a fucking FISH. But they'll let any swingin' dick be a (parent).

Posted by: docweasel at August 11, 2012 06:15 PM (h0KX8)

75 Doc, as a former lifeguard and as a current EMT, the stuff I see at neighborhood pools and at hotel pools scares the CRAP out of me. I've fished two people out of the water professionally (both lived, but were pretty shook up), and neither one of them had any business at all being in the water that they were. What happened specifically isn't clear enough to me to weigh in conclusively, but there's a significant part of me that totally agrees with you. The thing that strikes me more forcefully, though, is the warrior's courage that Xander showed... what an amazing little guy.

Posted by: tmi3rd at August 11, 2012 06:23 PM (cxomr)

76 The thing that strikes me more forcefully, though, is the warrior's courage that Xander showed... what an amazing little guy. Posted by: tmi3rd at August 11, 2012 10:23 PM (cxomr) ------------------------------------------------------- No argument from me on this point. Xander gave his life to save this little girl.

Posted by: Truck Monkey at August 11, 2012 06:30 PM (jucos)

77 Brave little man, a credit to your house, God bless you go play.

Posted by: sven10077 at August 11, 2012 06:33 PM (LRFds)

78 As a former lifeguard, I have to say things happen FAST. Please don't make these parents feel any worse than they already do. It could happen to any of us.

Posted by: Herpglerble at August 11, 2012 06:35 PM (Rilbs)

79 No words here, either. Can't type very well anyway when I'm all teared up.

Posted by: Captain Whitebread, still going for the shameless plug at August 11, 2012 06:42 PM (5J54Q)

80 what a terribly sad story. The good die young, the excellent die youngest.

Posted by: vivi at August 11, 2012 08:06 PM (OTPxW)

81 And the last enemy to be destroyed is death. (1 Corinthians 15:26 NLT)

Posted by: Nameless Horror at August 11, 2012 08:07 PM (9NiKO)

82 The word "Hero" is bandied about so much these days it has become mere lip service....With that in mind all I can say is....His loss is tragic and profoundly sad...his actions are Impressive...Outstanding...I will keep his name pinned at my desk so that when I fell particularly dejected at the state of humanity, I can look over and feel a bit of hope.....My sincere condolences.

Posted by: Jim at August 11, 2012 08:08 PM (km+tv)

83
RIP brave Hero...

Posted by: thebronze at August 11, 2012 11:08 PM (apQj6)

84 I'm a hard hearted dick and this story makes me cry.

Posted by: Grant S at August 12, 2012 02:54 AM (dsCnE)

85 He's in God's loving arms right now.

Posted by: KR1 at August 12, 2012 03:20 AM (4E5EC)

86 Call me cynical. But, as heart-wrenching as it sounds, there's a big hole in that story.

I can't help but think, "neglect" played a part in a preventable tragedy.

Journalistic embellishment, notwithstanding.

Posted by: franksalterego at August 12, 2012 05:01 AM (9XykO)

87 This little boy was punching way above his weight class. It seems he lives his short life without fear. When I read this story, I couldn't help but think about the grown man who left a boy about the same age as Xandee to fend for himself in the theater in Colorado.

Posted by: Elliot at August 12, 2012 07:21 AM (v6YdM)

88 Wow, just wow. Brave little Xander, may you find yourself riding in green fields with sun on your face, do not be troubled; for you are in Elysium.

Posted by: Michael at August 12, 2012 09:55 AM (CZ3HI)

89 Two kids end up drowned at the same time in a pool with assorted professional people there able to give CPR. It is not quite clear why the children were not saved by attentive adults, life guards or older children. Police investigate. Drugs and or alcohol is suspected.

Four year old Hero kid dives into pool to save a drowning three year old but fails to save her and loses his own life in the attempt.

Parents partying at a pool lose sight of their children and two drown while unattended.

Grieving parents lament deaths of their children, one who may have been a Hero and another a younger child.

The narrative is the key. Hero or unattended child victims I guess it's all a matter of which story line you want to believe.
While in Florida one vacation lying on the beach in a crowd of people a four year old Japanese girl drowned in water just inches over her head. She was floating in a tube float in shallow water but drifted into deeper water before dropping out of the tube. She was a part of a crowd of Japanese tourist maybe fifty along with everyone else I estimate inside fifty feet there was maybe a hundred people on a flat beach.
No one saw this girl drown, people walked by her form lying in the water and thought she was someone's doll.
A child or two can drown without a splash or a sound while hundreds of fairly sober, concerned and caring safety conscious adults stand around un aware.
Watch your children while they are in the water exclude everything else when they are wet and in water over two inches deep.
Please.

Posted by: HEP-T at August 12, 2012 10:36 AM (sEBFI)

90 Narrative, that which turns a gang banger wannabe on drugs into a choir boy and a neighborhood watchman into a raving racist white negro hunting, profiling and murderous assassin.

Posted by: HEP-T at August 12, 2012 10:42 AM (sEBFI)

91 Darn allergies.......

My condolences to his family. What a brave and loving soul he was.

Posted by: sablegsd at August 12, 2012 02:14 PM (AKS75)

Yeah. Only the good die young. My heart breaks for his parents.

I bet he'll like Audie Murphy and Rick Rescorla.

Posted by: mac at August 14, 2012 11:33 PM (cqbK4)

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