As flags throughout the country fly at half-mast in a three-day national mourning period that started yesterday, images of those who died in the disaster continue to touch citizens' hearts.
Millions of netizens have likened one heroic teacher to a majestic eagle: Tan Qianqiu was found under rubble with both arms extended, shielding four students from being crushed under a desk.
The four children were saved, but Tan, 51, left his wife and two daughters forever.
Tan's wife, Zhang Guanrong, cleaned her husband's face after rescuers pulled his body from the ruins of the Dongqi Middle School in Hanwang town, Deyang city, last Tuesday.
She recalls Tan getting up at 6 am on Monday morning, the day the quake struck, dressing their baby daughter and taking the child for a walk before leaving for work.
At China Central Television's donation show broadcast live on Sunday night, Tan's elder daughter, Tang Junzi, who studies law at Peking University, said her father's heroism was characteristic of the man.
"He is the kind of person who must live for his students, even if it means failing his family," she said.
Teachers and students attended a memorial for Tan last Friday at Hunan University, his alma mater in Changsha, Hunan province.
"We shall forever remember the eternal moment. Your extending arms carry the full meaning of your profession and great love."
（英语点津 Helen 编辑）
About the broadcaster:
Brendan joined The China Daily in 2007 as a language polisher in the Language Tips Department, where he writes a regular column for Chinese English Language learners, reads audio news for listeners and anchors the weekly video news in addition to assisting with on location stories. Elsewhere he writes Op’Ed pieces with a China focus that feature in the Daily’s Website opinion section.
He received his B.A. and Post Grad Dip from Curtin University in 1997 and his Masters in Community Development and Management from Charles Darwin University in 2003. He has taught in Japan, England, Australia and most recently China. His articles have featured in the Bangkok Post, The Taipei Times, The Asia News Network and in-flight magazines.
