October 1, 2017 was not only the day that the United States experienced its deadliest mass shooting in American history. It was the day that 59 people had their last moments. 59 families lost a loved one. 59 people were expected to come home Sunday night...but will never come home again.
Whether you are a democrat or republican, male or female, white or black, Catholic or Atheist, Jewish or Muslim, we all never want to have a repeat experience of the event that took place on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Whether we are directly or indirectly affected by this event, it still affected everyone in a way.
To the selfish, narrow-minded gunman that took the lives of 59 victims and injured more than 500 others, we shall not let him be a "household name". It should not be the gunman that is the main focus of news articles and reports. We should be acknowledging the 59 victims stories' and keep their loved ones in our thoughts and pray that they will recover from the tragic event that has changed their lives forever.
These are just a few of the victims and their stories:
Rocio Guillen (40) had just given birth to her 4th child 6 weeks ago. "She was that type of mom who just loved holding her kids", said her fiance. Four kids will never be able to be held by their mother again.
Angie Gomez (20) was an aspiring nurse who was described by her sister with these words: "There was not a bad bone in her body. My sister was just the greatest person. And I know that seems like something that someone would say, but she really was the greatest person, with the kindest heart, and her main goal in life was just to make other people happy and take care of them." Angie had died in her boyfriend's arms at the concert.
Christopher Roybal (28) was a Navy veteran who had served in Afghanistan. His mother's description of October 1, 2017, "Today is the saddest day of my life. My heart is broken in a billion pieces."
Candice Bowers (40) was a single mother of three. "It was a gift that she was able to spend her final moments doing what she loved with those she loved even more," her family said. Her children included a recently adopted 2-year-old.
John Phippen (56) was trying to shield someone when he was shot. He was a father of 6. "He was a man of integrity who always had your back. There is nothing he couldn't do for you, wouldn't do for you. You didn't even have to ask."
Jack Beaton (54) was celebrating his 23rd wedding anniversary with his wife at the concert. This picture of Jack and his wife were taken at the concert. He died while shielding his wife."He told me, 'get down, get down,'" and put his own body on top of hers for protection, she said. He told me, 'I love you, Laurie' and his arms were around me and his body just went heavy on me."
Hannah Ahlers (34) was a mother of 3 and had been married for 17 years to her lifetime sweetheart. She attended the concert with her husband and he said "she was shot in the head while dancing" with him. "She was beautiful inside and out."
Denise Burditus (50) and her husband can be seen in the picture before the concert started. "It saddens me to say that I lost my wife of 32 years, a mother of two, soon-to-be grandmother of 5 this evening in the Las Vegas Shooting," her husband said. "Denise passed in my arms. I LOVE YOU, BABE."
If the gunman only thought about his victims and how much each individual was leaving behind...
As the world still mourns over the losses we experienced, we cannot fuel hate with more hate. We cannot blame others for what has already happened. We must take action now to prevent this terror act from being repeated.
You can also donate to Everytown for Gun Safety, an organization dedicated to ending gun violence in America.
. If you’d like to donate funds to the organizations helping the victims of the shooting, the Red Cross and GoFundMe campaigns are accessible. Especially if you live in the Las Vegas area, nearby hospitals will need donated blood. There arethroughout Las Vegas where you can make an appointment.The World Health Organization says
, “There is a constant need for regular blood supply because blood can be stored for only a limited time before use. Regular blood donations by a sufficient number of healthy people are needed to ensure that safe blood will be available whenever and wherever it is needed.”Terrorism must be outlawed by all civilized nations - not explained or rationalized, but fought and eradicated. Nothing can, nothing will justify the murder of innocent people and helpless children.
