It’s been 19 years since the Columbine High School shootings. One teacher and 12 students were killed. Those students would be in their 30s by now, likely with families of their own.
This is a pin I've had for 19 years.
The families of the Columbine victims gave it to me. It says, "never forgotten."
That was the pledge: "never forget." I never have, and never will. I can see each one of their faces and everything I saw when I was a young reporter covering Columbine. I still tear up thinking about it.
"Never forget" was a rally cry, a comfort and a plea. By remembering, wouldn't everyone work together to try to keep it from happening again, be kinder and appreciate life a more every day?
What happened at Columbine in 1999 was unheard of. No one could conceive two students would fill their school with bombs and take the lives so many sons and daughters.
It's not unheard of, now.
I'll never forget watching the victim's families work to help protect other people's children.
One example: Rachel Scott's dad has reached millions of people through Rachel's Challenge. He just visited Washington recently to talk about preventing school violence.
I have seen the victims' families overcome cruelty with kindness in so many ways. They'd all get together for dinner or a baseball game to support each other.
Kyle Valasquez's family would remember our birthdays and bring gifts to the newsroom.
Kelly Fleming's parents recently sent a card just to stay connected.
Lauren Townsend's mom has encouraged people to recommit to the goodness so many experienced after Columbine. before people got busy again.
Never forget, so it never happens again.
Yet it does.
People fight over the answers -- more security, mental health reform, gun control, arming teachers. So much division and vitriol over it.
I don't know the answers to make it stop. But in the name of every child who has gone to school and never come home and every one who loved them, I hope we use more of the kindness the Columbine community taught us and never stop working towards finding answers to protect our children.
