Prayers from around the world were answered this week with the daring rescue of 12 youth soccer team members, ages 11 to 16, and their coach from a flooded cave in Thailand. But we must not forget that one courageous diver sacrificed his own life to keep them alive.

The diver, 38-year-old Saman Gunan, was the “hero of Tham Luang cave,” said Gov. Narongsak Osottanakorn of Ching Rai in Thailand.

Gunan died from lack of oxygen as he swam out of the cave after delivering desperately needed supplies to the trapped boys and placing extra air tanks inside the cave the boys would use in escaping.

Gunan knew the mission to help the trapped soccer players and their coach was dangerous. But that didn’t stop him. He was willing to risk his life to save their lives.

“Saman once said we never knew when we would die. … We can’t control that so we need to cherish each day,” the heroic diver’s widow told the BBC in an emotional interview.

Gunan made the ultimate sacrifice. He died so that others might live. That kind of love and courage has the capacity to move us emotionally like nothing else can – if we let it grip our hearts.

Gunan’s sacrifice reminds me of others – ones that hit closer to home.

To read the rest of this article, originally published at Fox News Opinion, click here.

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