Columbine Families Want Quiet Anniversary
Two Years After Shootings, Families Want Privacy
The families of those shot at Columbine
High School have asked that there be no ceremonies on the second
anniversary of the tragedy, April 20.
Officials sought the families' advice when they started planning
for the anniversary a month ago, Jefferson County school district spokesman Rick Kaufman said. They were told that the families wanted to keep it private.
Kaufman said that the district is still planning an informal event
that might include reading the names of the victims and tolling a
bell at Clement Park, the area adjacent to Columbine High School
where a permanent memorial is planned.
"We didn't want to pass the date without doing anything and we
didn't want to overstep our bounds," Kaufman said.
Columbine seniors Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold killed 13 and
wounded 23 in the 1999 shootings before taking their own lives.
Last year, about 3,000 people, including many relatives of the
victims, gathered at Clement Park in an event that ended with a
candlelight vigil.
Connie Michalik, whose son Richard Costaldo was paralyzed in the
attack, said that any anniversary event should be subdued and not focus
on the shooting itself.
"I don't think we need to dwell on the shooting, but use it to
say listen, let's be nicer to each other, let's be more tolerant to
each other," she said.
Michalik suggested simply letting people know that they could
gather at Clement Park to remember the victims.
"I think it would be something they did if they wanted to,"
she said.
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Officials sought the families' advice when they started planning
for the anniversary a month ago, Jefferson County school district spokesman Rick Kaufman said. They were told that the families wanted to keep it private.
Kaufman said that the district is still planning an informal event
that might include reading the names of the victims and tolling a
bell at Clement Park, the area adjacent to Columbine High School
where a permanent memorial is planned.
"We didn't want to pass the date without doing anything and we
didn't want to overstep our bounds," Kaufman said.
Columbine seniors Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold killed 13 and
wounded 23 in the 1999 shootings before taking their own lives.
Last year, about 3,000 people, including many relatives of the
victims, gathered at Clement Park in an event that ended with a
candlelight vigil.
Connie Michalik, whose son Richard Costaldo was paralyzed in the
attack, said that any anniversary event should be subdued and not focus
on the shooting itself.
"I don't think we need to dwell on the shooting, but use it to
say listen, let's be nicer to each other, let's be more tolerant to
each other," she said.
Michalik suggested simply letting people know that they could
gather at Clement Park to remember the victims.
"I think it would be something they did if they wanted to,"
she said.
- March 6, 2001: Columbine Parents Surprised That Shooting Warnings Were Ignored
- March 6, 2001: Columbine Offers Help To California School
- February 15, 2001: Columbine Commission Re-Invites Jeffco Sheriff
- February 8, 2001: Columbine Autopsy Reports Released
Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
