In the early hours on June 12th we lost the lives of 50 Americans. Radical fanatic Omar Mateen pledged alliance with ISIS at roughly 2 a.m. before opening fire amongst a popular nightclub in Orlando, Florida.

We lost 50 Americans, but that is not all we lost on June 12th. We lost the hope for society. As terrorism and hate crimes become all too prevalent and real, we, as a society, begin to wonder when this will all subside? When will the radical come to an end?

The scarier realization we might be facing: What if it doesn't come to an end? What if this is the world we will all be living amongst for the end of our time?

As I'm sure we all know, hate crimes against Western civilization is something that has became well-known amongst Millennials, as we have never remembered a time in which the United States wasn't a target for destruction and death.

Unfortunately, that target landed on our peers and loved ones in Orlando that early morning. Only a handful made it out alive. Only a handful were able to see the sunrise. Only a handful were able to feel the hugs from their loved ones once more. Only a handful were able to say everything that they feared they'd never get to say.

And the survivors? They will be haunted with this question for the rest of their lives: Why me?

So here is to those lost, and here is to those who survived. Advocate for peace. Advocate for America, and all of those who reside: rich, poor, black, white, gay, straight, and everything in between.

Mid-Michigan is with you, Orlando.