Forever Strong – 10 Years Later

10 Years ago, on February 20th, 2016, our community was rocked by senseless violence that found its way near us. Despite the pain and grief- through the tragedy, we have formed lifelong friendships and inspiration from the strength and heart of those whose lives were deeply and directly affected by what took place. We are proud of Forever Strong Foundation and all the survivors and families that have ties to this event. There was a private vigil held to remember those who are no longer with us on the 10th anniversary of that tragic night. We Will Always Remember.

#CarryTheirLight

As a testament to their heart and resilience, Forever Strong Foundation is asking for the community to participate in a “10 Days of Kindness” challenge. Laurie Smith stated, “We don’t have to fix the world, just brighten the rooms we stand in.” The challenge is described in further detail in the post below:

𝙏𝙚𝙣 𝙔𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨 𝘼𝙜𝙤, 𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙒𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝘿𝙖𝙧𝙠.

𝙉𝙤𝙬 𝙒𝙚 𝘾𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝘽𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙇𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩.

February 20, 2016 – Our community was forever changed by senseless acts of violence.

Six precious lives taken: 𝗥𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗦𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗵, 𝗧𝘆𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗵, 𝗝𝘂𝗱𝘆 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻, 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗝𝗼 𝗡𝘆𝗲, 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗡𝘆𝗲, 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗮 𝗛𝗮𝘄𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗻.

Three courageous survived: 𝗔𝗯𝗶𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗞𝗼𝗽𝗳, 𝗧𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗵.

They carry that day in ways many of us will never understand. They continue to walk forward with strength and courage, and we honor that deeply.

Grief does not disappear just because a decade has passed.

It lives in quiet spaces.

In empty chairs.

In milestones that feel incomplete.

But so does something else.

𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞.

𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡.

𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞.

𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲.

So this year, instead of letting February 20 mark what was taken from us, we are choosing to build something.

We invite you to join the

𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁: 𝟭𝟬-𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲.

𝘽𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙁𝙚𝙗𝙧𝙪𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝟮𝟬, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙞𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙖𝙘𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝 𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙚𝙣 𝙙𝙖𝙮𝙨.

You don’t have to fix the world.

You just have to brighten the space you’re standing in.

Not something dramatic.

Not something complicated.

Just something deliberate.

-Pay for someone’s coffee.

-Send the text you’ve been meaning to send.

-Feed someone in need.

-Pray for healing.

-Choose forgiveness.

-Serve quietly.

The size of the act does not matter.

The intention does.

Violence marked our story.

But it does not get to write the ending.

Ten days.

Ten acts of light.

An endless ripple of kindness.

If you choose to participate, share your act using

#CarryTheirLight

#ForeverStrongKzoo

Walk with us.

Let’s carry their light forward — 𝙏𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜. “

Learn more about and follow Forever Strong here:
Forever Strong Foundation
ForeverStrong (Facebook)
ForeverStrong (Instagram)

WWMT’s Coverage:

WWMT – Candle Light Vigil Coverage

WWMT – 10 Year Review of Feb 20, 2016