Tenth Anniversary of Columbine
. This April 20th, 2009, marked the tenth anniversary of the massacre at Columbine. It was a bittersweet day. It's a day everyone wants to focus and reflect on, but we just want it to pass quickly. Many people want to focus on the "triumph over evil. Yes, there are those positive sides, but it was hard not to think what all happened on that awful day.
On the morning of the 20th, our gun control organization, Colorado Ceasefire, sponsored a Columbine Remembrance and Rededication event on the west steps of the State Capitol building in Denver . At 11:21 a.m., the moment when gunfire erupted at Columbine, a moment of silence was held, following the reading of the names of the 13 victims, and a lie-down. The lie-down featured 13 people lying down in a circle, representing the slain. Following the moment of silence, 25 people representing the injured surrounded the 13, laying their hands on them, as the names of the injured were read. Then the crowd, representing the community, laid their hands on the 25.
It was a very moving event. Among the 13 in the circle was Mallory Sanders, the granddaughter of teacher/hero/victim Dave Sanders , as well as Steve Wewer, Daniel’s godfather.
Among the 25 representing the injured were Richard Castaldo, who was seriously injured at Columbine, my daughter Christine, and our special guests-- victims of the Virginia Tech shootings:
Lori Haas, whose daughter Hilary was injured at Va Tech
Diane Strollo, whose daughter Emily was injured
Lily Habtu, a student who was injured
Andy Goddard, whose son Colin was injured
I hope by mid May to have a short video of the event on YouTube. Here’s a news story about it:
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/19227651/detail.html
At 5:00 p.m. on the 20th was the Columbine community memorial event in the amphitheater in Clement Park , near Columbine High. It featured music, a video message from President Clinton, the release of doves, and people speaking on behalf of the slain, the injured, the teachers, the alumni and the community.
Afterwards, my family had the pleasure of going out to dinner with the people from Virginia Tech.
There were over 2,800 visitors to this web site that day, and almost as many the next day. A few of them sent us email messages. It was great reading the many words of comfort sent our way.
There was also the stain of negative message from a gun supporter. These people just can’t ever give it up. JD Hume of Fayetteville , North Carolina , johnkilt45@hotmail.com, sent an email with the subject line reading, “You are WRONG.” Well, I had a pretty good idea what kind of message was coming.
Mr. Hume, unlike most other pro gun email writers, did at least begin his email with a salutation and a word of sympathy. “Tom, I can only imagine how I would feel should one of my children be killed by someone with a gun.” But from there he launched into an attack, accusing me of trying to take away all guns and prevent him from protecting his family.
I wrote back, telling him he was an insensitive jerk for sending such a message on the tenth anniversary of the death of my son. I questioned him about having a background in the military and law enforcement, observing that he obviously was “not involved in the laws of common decency.” I asked where he ever read I want to take away all guns and deny him the right to protect himself. No response
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