The Columbine Memorial

Located in Clement Park, the permanent memorial is a short distance from the school

Some people ask why it took eight years to build a memorial.  Well, not long after the Columbine tragedy, some people began making contributions for a memorial.  However, the Columbine victims’ families were focused on something else at that time—replacement of the library at the school, a subject described elsewhere on this site.  The parents did not want to ask the community for funds for two different projects, so we focused on the library. 

Once the library was replaced, a Columbine Memorial Committee was created to raise the funds to build a permanent memorial.  It wanted to assure that the innocent victims of Columbine were “never forgotten” and that the memorial would also deliver a message of hope and education for many generations to come. 

There was another important reason to have a permanent memorial—away from the school.  Unfortunately, there were many cases of inconsiderate trespassers walking into the school without permission, whether to pay their respects or to gawk.  This was no way to treat the students at Columbine, making them feel like they were in a fishbowl, or, worse, worried that a copycat shooter might want to cause harm.

The memorial committee conducted fundraising events and solicited donations from across the country and even the world.  President Clinton played an especially important role in bringing attention to the Memorial, and he attended the groundbreaking and dedication. 

The permanent memorial was dedicated in September of 2007.  It’s an open, public place for all to visit and reflect on the impact and lessons learned from this tragedy.   The memorial includes an inner Ring of Remembrance with 13 stations, one for each of those killed, with engraved messages written by their families.  An outer Ring of Healing contains the etched words of injured victims, Columbine students, teachers and staff, as well as community members.

The memorial was built by reshaping Rebel Hill, the high mound of dirt above and behind the school where thousands of people trekked to view crosses and honor the victims soon after the tragedy. 

Daniel’s mom, Linda, is the one who developed the words engraved on Daniel’s station. The words read:

It’s not easy to sum up the life of a son and brother. To his parents he was a first-born gift with spiritual dimensions that caused us to seek a deeper life. To his sister Christine, he was a fun companion but also one who was willing to share his wisdom and knowledge. To his sister Madeline he will be the brother who was never known, but whose presence will always be felt. To others, he will be an inspiration for how he tackled his own weaknesses and often overcame them in surprising ways.

We remember Daniel as a boy with a gentle spirit and a shy grin. Often charming and sometimes intense, he was just coming into his own. He still saw the world through largely innocent eyes. He was an inquisitive and sometimes typically maddening adolescent who would challenge you to examine your assumptions about most everything. 

In the most profound sense, however, Daniel was one who, despite difficulties, knew the ineffable sweetness of life and it was part of him. It was our great blessing to have had him as a member of our family.