Parkland’s Day of Remembrance: Moments of Silence, Reflection and Grief

Every time it happens and throughout the years of failure to do anything to stop gun deaths, we are reminded of the hideousness of trump, McConnell, all Republicans, and some Democrats who take NRA contributions. I worked last election, unsuccessfully, and will work harder next election to make a change. Let us hope that Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has awakened a sleeping giant and is not squashed by the Democratic status quo.

"“It’s not normal, for 17 people to die in school,” Mr. Faber said." It is much more normal in this country than maybe any other place in the universe. At least we're super, duper free though!

What if it were your child? What if it were your child you were mourning that was killed last year? What if it were your child and all your Congress could do is shake their heads and say what a shame . Did they even take time out of their days to what, let you know they were trying to work on getting a grip on this problem? What if they had done their jobs, actually took some effort prior to last year? What if?

A very sad day for the survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, the parents whose child will never come home again. A President who can not spare any words of condolences (I don't think he capable of that) because he wants a wall built. A very sad day for those in Florida as well as our nation.

It is very difficult if you were personally involved, it will probably stay with you at some level for the rest of your life. That said moving forward is best, and for many of us it is in the past and not really relevant to our personal lives.

If everyone could for a brief moment step into the heart of a parent who lost a child from gun violence, guns would disappear.

This mom in Michigan won't forget. I haven't forgotten any of the mass shootings anywhere. We need to remember and mobilize. 1)Join your local Democratic clubs. 2)Knock on doors and listen to neighbors. 3)Take the information to your congressional representatives, whether at state or federal levels. 4)Inform voters on what political parties stand for. 5) Volunteer for campaigns 6) Donate if you can. The stances of the 1980's as far as sexual assault, black face and other previously "acceptable practices" have been proven to be extremely offensive. We can try to change the current environment of "gun love" and make sensible laws. I'm doing my part and I hope many more will. Complacency equals acceptance.

I've been reading the testimonies of those who's lives were changed one year ago today, thinking of my little daughter, and crying and praying. How we do not agree to make our schools safer and support our children and families in times of depression and the vagaries of the discordant lives some live in this excessive country is beyond comprehension. God bless those who are living with grief today.

1,200 children have died from gun violence since Parkland and our government is fighting over a border wall.

It hurts more because they died of indifference and pay to play politics.

Seems our president forgot, or really doesn’t care. Be best.

I wonder the statistics of how many people were killed by our laissez-faire Republicans’ attitude towards gun control vs how many people were killed by marauding immigrants. The outcome would assuredly have been different if instead of sitting on their hands only to take them out to grab NRA monies they put gun control 1st , instead of imaginary attacks by immigrants. Also money spent on crazy wall could have helped with safety concerns at schools, etc. keep in the direction you are going republicans, and these kids will show you what this country really wants as they come of age. What a sad anniversary for this country. We can and will do better.

What a devastating day for Parkland families... Can our nation please figure something out that reaches the disturbed young men that will most likely try this after?

Sadly, these young people at Parkland have had a horrific lesson about the true nature of our country. What have they learned in the past year? They have learned that, despite a majority of us favoring gun control, a large, rabid, minority controls this country. They have learned that, at least until last month, they had a Congress that would toady to an insane man. They have learned that the “right to life” that Republicans spout so frequently does not apply to the living. They have learned that, to Trump voters, it is fine that they and their grieving families are mocked, and lied about – that they aren’t really victims, but professional actors. They have learned that, sadly, the Constitution isn’t the glorious document they studied about in their government class. Under Trump and his Republican Congress, it has been shown to be nothing more than a badly broken honor system. They have learned that because of Red state control of the Senate, their chances of ever obtaining meaningful gun control legislation are zero. They have learned that, if they aren’t Trump supporters, they’re not patriotic. And finally, they have learned that sometimes, evil actually does prevail.

Heartbreaking. We must do better. The children are our future.

My heart breaks for the students, staff, and every parent of these children. And yet, although technically children, these young people give me hope for the future of the United States. They are the present and the future which will bring change. I pray they will bring sanity to the world of politics and effect changes to gun control laws.

I grieve so much for all who lost loved ones or had loved ones injured at Parkland. After the Sandy Hook massacre, and the heartless responses of so many Republicans who could have spearheaded changes for sensible gun laws, I knew in my heart that no matter how many more massacres ensued, there would be no substantive changes in our laws. This sickens and nauseates me, but there is simply no political courage, or even a tinge of real empathy, among those who must lead the change we need if we are ever to have safer schools, communities, and a safer nation.