don't believe there are metrics that cover heroism, so it goes without saying that he was not alone. However, for me, the moment I heard the story of Carl Wilkens packing his family onto the buses taking them to safety and what he said as he closed the gate to his home behind them: "I simply could not leave . . . ," tears silently streamed from my eyes as I continued to watch.

How easily any of those who remained in Rwanda could have justified an alternative course. Careers, reputations, families all provide entirely honest reasons to get in the lifeboat. But for some, those reasons are not enough. None of us can predict when we may find ourselves face-to-face with such a choice. I can only hope that if and when I am, the sights and sounds and words of people like Mr. Wilkens will help me make the right one.
—Ted Thomas, Portland, Oregon

Great documentary. I recently visited Rwanda—beautiful, primitive, gentle, hopeful. One had to make an effort to see remnants of the genocide. There are some memorials; the occasional overgrown or burned house off the road; a man with one arm. . . . I was in a remote area, and the Rwandans there didn't talk about it. They are trying to put it behind them. I guess that's their privilege, but we in the West should not put it behind us. Your show will help us in that regard. I was moved by many an individual in the show, but most by Carl Wilkens, the missionary. Many Christians, mostly Rwandan, endangered and sacrificed themselves saving their brothers and sisters. Their names will never be well known, at least not in this world. . . .

Again, well done.
—William Rambo, Columbia, South Carolina

I can't recall ever seeing such a film that left me numb. The U.S. and the rest of the international community did nothing; however, I'm sure most Americans probably would have disapproved over a decision made to have our troops, loved ones, etc., march into such a dilemma. I mean, it just goes back to what one of the interviewees said, ". . .
interest . . ."

I look at the brave and humanitarian efforts of people such as General R. Dallaire, Captain Mbaye Diagne, Philippe Gaillard, and Carl Wilkens and wish-I wish-I could be more like them.
—Jeri Lightfoot, Chicago, Illinois

_________________________
*These letters were gleaned from an Internet message board (located on the PBS site), in response to PBS's April 1, 2004, documentary entitled Ghosts of Rwanda. To learn more, visit www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/ghosts.