There are no words to describe my anger, at a man that killed 49 people and injured 53 more. Or to express my dismay at the politicians that will not acknowledge the real problems of todays world, such as mental illness, terrorism, and more but push their own agendas, even in a time of tragedy. Their are no words to describe my sadness and sorrow for an 18 year old girl celebrating her graduation who’s life was snuffed out, or for a mom who jumped in front of the gunman to save her son, or for so many other young men and women who were killed in their prime. What would these beautiful men and women have accomplished in their life? We will never know because they are gone.
I did not know any of these people but each time I see their smiling faces on the TV news a tear comes to my eye and I want to weep.
I cannot let these 49 people go without acknowledging them. You were the sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, mom’s, dads, friends and family of many. You are remembered and you will be missed.
Stanley Almodovar III, 23
Amanda Alvear, 25
Oscar A. Aracena-Montero, 26
Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala, 33
Antonio Davon Brown, 29
Darryl Roman Burt II, 29
Angel L. Candelario-Padro, 28
Juan Chevez-Martinez, 25
Luis Daniel Conde, 39
Cory James Connell, 21
Tevin Eugene Crosby, 25
Deonka Deidra Drayton, 32
Simon Adrian Carrillo Fernandez, 31
Leroy Valentin Fernandez, 25
Mercedez Marisol Flores, 26
Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, 22
Juan Ramon Guerrero, 22
Paul Terrell Henry, 41
Frank Hernandez, 27
Miguel Angel Honorato, 30
Javier Jorge-Reyes, 40
Jason Benjamin Josaphat, 19
Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, 30
Anthony Luis Laureanodisla, 25
Christopher Andrew Leinonen, 32
Alejandro Barrios Martinez, 21
Brenda Lee Marquez McCool, 49
Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez, 25
Kimberly Morris, 37
Akyra Monet Murray, 18
Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, 20
Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, 36
Joel Rayon Paniagua, 32
Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, 35
Enrique L. Rios, Jr., 25
Jean C. Nives Rodriguez, 27
Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz, 24
Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado, 35
Edward Sotomayor Jr., 34
Yilmary Rodriguez Sulivan, 24
Shane Evan Tomlinson, 33
Martin Benitez Torres, 33
Jonathan Antonio Camuy Vega, 24
Franky Jimmy Dejesus Velazquez, 50
Juan P. Rivera Velazquez, 37
Luis S. Vielma, 22
Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, 37
Jerald Arthur Wright, 31
Rest in Peace.
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Amen.
Last night as we were watching Scott Pelley's report on the CBS evening news, I was spellbound to listen to one survivor, "Demetrius" who described that evening as his friend died before his eyes. His accounts of the moments led to the conclusion of the newscast as being, "This was not a hate crime toward GAY, but toward PEOPLE." That brought the problem down to the most basic, most POWERFUL truth that this world is going and growing more insane every day, and our government and its weakness for money and fear of the even more powerful are allowing guns like the one that the killer used, to be so available to ANYONE.
It was an article the other day about a mother whose son had texted her during the shootings, and who died, that really got to me.
There is a book of condolences at the embassy here. I'm planning on going over to sign it.
I was watching the Sunday edition of the George Stephanopuoulos's show and he was interviewing a mother who still hadn't heard from her son and it was heart-wrenching. I felt so affected by her words and I still haven't been able to confirm what happened with her situation. But honestly, i'm afraid to go looking. It's so depressing, all the violence against innocent people. And then I get so angry with the spineless, morally weak politicians in congress who won't even vote for a ban on assault weapons. Really?!! Who needs assault weapons? Anyway–thanks so much for this powerful post, and for your other posts that bring up relevant news related topics. I'm one who really appreciates it.
xo
Leslie
thank you for this beautiful, heartfelt expression of love, elizabeth. i too have cried over these names this week and grieved for what was stolen. i pray peace will wash over our country soon.