We were at a local place, K.C.'s Cabin here in Spring Grove, Illinois, preparing to place an order when we looked up at the TV and saw scenes on the news from what looked to be our old school, Northern Illinois University in Dekalb. The sound was down and we continued to watch until we knew for a fact it was indeed NIU.
It continued and we saw police and rescue people running about and knew it was anything good. It wasn't.
Five students were murdered that day for doing nothing more than going to class, what they were supposed to do. At least the killer had the decency to end his own life as well. He, whose name will not be mentioned and best forgotten.
THE DEAD
Catalina Garcia, 20
Juliana Gehant, 32
Ryanne Mace, 19
Daniel Parmenter, 20
Gayle Dubowski
Mr. Parmenter was even enrolled in the class, but was there as a surprise Valentine's Day for his girlfriend. He died shielding her.
Seventeen others were wounded.
We went to Northern a few days afterwards and I wrote about what we saw. Click on the NIU Shootings label and scroll down to ATrip to NIU for my three entries.
I was glad that Cole Hall, where the murders took place, was not torn down, but still stands after many renovations. Outside of it is the "Forward, Forever Forward (from the school fight song) Memorial and Garden. Picture to the left.
It Was a Sad Day.
Being an account of some things I'm interested in, what I'm doing, and reflections on my past, especially music.
Listen to this man. Seven years of college, you know. Trying to reason with 2020 and, now, 2022.
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