Tears, memories and fun were shared Saturday as the Columbine community celebrated the long awaited dedication of the site of a permanent memorial to those killed, injured and otherwise affected by the nation’s worst school shooting.
The memorial, to be built on a hill in Clement Park overlooking Columbine High School, will provide a place “where we can continually draw strength and inspiration,” said principal Frank DeAngelis.
About $1.1 million has been raised toward the cost of the memorial to the 12 students and a teacher who were killed and two dozen others who were injured in the school on April 20, 1999. Organizers still need to raise $400,000.
“We will have the memorial by the end of this year,” said Bob Easton, executive director of the Foothills Park and Recreation District that manages Clement Park.
Easton, chairman of the Columbine Memorial Committee, asked the several hundred people who attended the ceremony to “take one word with you: community. That’s what it will take to make this a success.”
Former President Bill Clinton, who was in office when the tragedy occurred, will be the keynote speaker at the groundbreaking, which was postponed from Saturday to June 16, so he could attend.
Many of the victims’ families attended the dedication, which had an air of celebration with silver and blue balloons, rock music blaring from loudspeakers, songs sung by the school’s Columbine Blue choir, and remarks made by school and community members.
“The nation should know that the community’s strength and character has been expressed in the aftermath of April 20 and not what happened on April 20,” said Don Fleming, whose daughter Kelly died in the school library. “This truly is a Columbine memorial built by the Columbine community, and for that I am both proud and grateful.”
Lee Andres, a Columbine graduate, teacher and memorial committee member, said, “We wanted a place where their names would never be forgotten” and where the victims’ families could find comfort and healing.
“Soon we will have a place that our community needs and deserves,” Andres said.
The dedication was part of Columbine Community Day, developed so the high school could give back to the community for support received after the tragedy. Proceeds go to the memorial.
Events included a “run for remembrance” that attracted nearly 900 runners, a motorcycle rally, music, food and crafts booths and children’s games.
Staff writer Ann Schrader can be reached at 303-278-3217 or at aschrader@denverpost.com.
