'Did I say I love you?' One year after Parkland horror, tributes to victims pour in
Tributes poured in to the victims of the deadly mass shooting a Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., on Thursday, one year after the massacre there.
Fred Guttenberg, whose daughter, Jaime, was among the 17 killed at Stoneman Douglas, posted a heartbreaking message to his slain child on Twitter.
Exactly one year ago, to the minute at around 7am, I sent two kids to school. Only my son Jesse came home. Jaime was murdered in school. I am forever haunted by my memory of that morning, rushing my kids out the door rather than getting one last minute. Did I say I love you? pic.twitter.com/s2IQHvDIcU
— Fred Guttenberg (@fred_guttenberg) February 14, 2019
“It was not supposed to be the the last time I would see Jaime,” he added. “For those who still want to deny the reality of gun violence, my daughter IS Jaime Guttenberg. I will be visiting her today at the cemetery. Jaime, I love you forever and miss you every second of every day.”
President Trump issued a lengthy statement to honor those killed and to “recommit to ensuring the safety of all Americans, especially our Nation’s children.”
Trump’s “Presidential Message on School Safety” also recounted what his administration did in response to the shootings, including a ban on bump stocks and a report from the Federal Commission on School Safety. (The 180-page report, issued in December, was criticized for downplaying the role of guns.)
Former President Barack Obama posted a message to Twitter praising the Parkland students.
In the year since their friends were killed, the students of Parkland refused to settle for the way things are and marched, organized, and pushed for the way things should be – helping pass meaningful new gun violence laws in states across the country. I'm proud of all of them.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) February 14, 2019
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton directed her Twitter followers to remembrances by student journalists at Marjory Stoneman Douglas, published in the Miami Herald.
A year ago today, 17 families lost loved ones to gun violence that should never have happened. A community lost friends, teammates, and beloved coaches.
Let's remember their stories today, as told by student journalists at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High. https://t.co/CZVk4F2fDe pic.twitter.com/lwMBlZARJa
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) February 14, 2019
Former Rep. Gabby Giffords, D-Ariz., a mass shooting survivor turned prominent gun control activist, urged her Twitter followers not to forget the victims of the massacre.
We'll never forget the way we felt one year ago when we learned of yet another horrific shooting, this time at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. It still feels impossible to comprehend that 17 people went to school that day and never came home. Remember them today. #MSDstrong pic.twitter.com/0Cpt6vT2gz
— Gabrielle Giffords (@GabbyGiffords) February 14, 2019
At Stoneman Douglas High, students participated in a moment of silence and ceremony honoring those killed. They were also given an early dismissal for a “day of service and love.”
A year ago today. There isn't enough words in the english dictionary to muster up the right words to describe the pain and heartbreak of what the past 365 days have been for the parkland community. but every day, we push forward. Every day we honor the 17. #MSDStrong pic.twitter.com/rfzSX9jrQD
— Kyra Parrow (@longlivekcx) February 14, 2019
Eagles are ready to honor our Fallen Eagles with Service and Love! #2getherinServiceandLove #MSDStrong 🦅🦅 pic.twitter.com/zmljqfVA2N
— Principal Thompson (@PrincipalMSD) February 14, 2019
It’s been one year since our community was changed forever. Sending our love to 17 Eagles today and every day. ❤️ Alyssa, Scott, Martin, Nicholas, Aaron, Jaime, Chris, Luke, Cara, Gina, Joaquin, Alaina, Meadow, Helena, Alex, Carmen, Peter ❤️ #17Eagles #MSDStrong pic.twitter.com/tbiuhdLX72
— MSD Alumni (@MobilizingMSD) February 14, 2019
Jaclyn Corin, one of the students who helped launch the March for Our Lives campaign following the killings, expressed her grief in a short tweet.
One year later, the pain doesn’t get any more bearable. We will miss you forever. #MSDStrong pic.twitter.com/BAdKhM4PBH
— Jaclyn Corin (@JaclynCorin) February 14, 2019
David Hogg, one of the most visible members of March for Our Lives, tweeted on Wednesday that he would be “taking a break from Twitter for the next 3 days.”
Thank you for all the kind words and support in this difficult time for many famlies in Parkland.
I will be taking a break from Twitter for the next 3 days.
Please remember the people we're stolen from us that day; they are why we fight for peace.
— David Hogg (@davidhogg111) February 13, 2019
Likewise, the campaign itself said it planned to honor the victims by “going dark — both online and offline” through Feb. 17.
“During that time, if past trends continue, around 400 people in the U.S. will likely be shot to death,” the group said.
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