Fallen not Forgotten: The Columbine Massacre 12 years on.

The ‘Right to bear arms’ is the concept that people, have an individual right to own and carry weapons. In the United States of America this refers to the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution, contained in the Bill of Rights.

In 2004 it was reported that 36.5% of Americans had a gun in their home and in 1997, 40% of Americans reported having a gun in their homes. At this time there were approximately 44 million gun owners in the United States; meaning 25 percent of all adults, and 40 percent of American households, owned at least one firearm. These owners possessed 192 million firearms, of which 65 million were handguns. These reports were completed by GSS – “General Social Survey” a primary source for information regarding firearm ownership, which carry out periodical surveys by organisations such as Harris Interactive.

The Columbine High School Massacre occurred on Tuesday April 201999, at Columbine High School near Denver and Littleton. Two senior students; Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold embarked on a massacre killing 12 students and one teacher. They also injured 21 other students directly and three people were injured while attempting to escape. The pair then committed suicide. It is the fourth-deadliest school massacre in United States history.

Injuries and Deaths from the Columbine Massacre

1. Rachel Scott – aged 17; Killed by shots to the head, torso and leg on a grassy area next to the West Entrance of the School.
2. Richard Castaldo – aged 17; Shot in the arm, chest, back and abdomen on a grassy area next to the West Entrance of the School.
3. Daniel Rohrbough – aged 15; Killed by a shot to the chest on the West Staircase.
4. Sean Graves – aged 15; Shot in the back, foot and abdomen on the West Staircase.
5. Lance Kirklin – aged 16; Shot with wounds to the leg, neck and jaw on the West Staircase.
6. Michael Johnson – aged 15; Escaped from the grassy knoll with wounds to his face, arm and leg.
7. Mark Taylor – aged 16; Shot in the chest, arms and leg on the grassy knoll.
8. Anne-Marie Hochhalter – aged 17; Shot in the chest, arm, abdomen, back, and left leg near the cafeteria’s entrance.
9. Brian Anderson – aged 16; Injured near the West Entrance by flying glass.
10. Patti Nielson – aged 35; hit in the shoulder by shrapnel near the West Entrance.
11. Stephanie Munson – age 16; Shot in the ankle inside the North Hallway.
12. Dave Sanders – aged 47; Died of blood loss after being shot in the neck and back inside the South Hallway.
13. Evan Todd – aged 15; Sustained minor injuries from the splintering of a desk he was hiding under.
14. Kyle Velasquez – aged 16; Killed by gunshot wounds to the head and back.
15. Patrick Ireland – aged 17; Shot in the arm, leg, head, and foot.
16. Daniel Steepleton – aged 17; Shot in the thigh.
17. Makai Hall – aged 18; Shot in the knee.
18. Steven Curnow – aged 14; Killed by a shot to the neck.
19. Kacey Ruegsegger – aged 17; Shot in the hand, arm and shoulder.
20. Cassie Bernall – aged 17; Killed by a shot to the head.
21. Isaiah Shoels – aged 18; Killed by a shot to the chest.
22. Matthew Kechter – aged 16; Killed by a shot to the chest.
23. Lisa Kreutz – aged 18; Shot in the shoulder, hand, arms and thigh.
24. Valeen Schnurr – aged 18; Injured with wounds to the chest, arms and abdomen.
25. Mark Kintgen – aged 17; Shot in the head and shoulder.
26. Lauren Towsend – aged 18; Killed by multiple gunshot wounds to the head, chest and lower body.
27. Nicole Nowlen – aged 16; Shot in the abdomen.
28. John Tomlin – aged 16; Killed by multiple shots to the head and neck.
29. Kelly Fleming – aged 16; Killed by a shot to the back.
30. Jeanna Park – aged 18; Shot in the knee, shoulder and foot.
31. Daniel Mauser – aged 15; Killed by a shot in the face.
32. Jennifer Doyle – aged 17; Shot in the hand, leg and shoulder.
33. Austin Eubanks – aged 17; Shot in the head and knee.
34. Corey DePooter – aged 17; Killed by shots to the chest and neck.
35. Eric Harris – aged 18; Committed suicide by a single shot in the mouth.
36. Dylan Klebold – aged 17; Committed suicide by a single shot to the head.

The Columbine Memorial

In Loving memory of these young children The Columbine Memorial Foundation was founded; a non profit organisation created in March 2009 to maintain and protect the Memorial Wall and Ring they had helped build. The Columbine Memorial Foundation is an opportunity to provide something positive in response to the Columbine tragedy. It believes it “will unite, not divide, our community and nation.”

The Columbine Memorial is located in the south-eastern edge of Clement Park which is located at 7306 W. Bowles Avenue (at Pierce St.) in Littleton, Colorado. Open from 6am till 10pm the memorial is an open, public place for all to visit and reflect on the impact and lessons learned from this tragedy. The Columbine Memorial was dedicated and opened to the public on September 21, 2007 it is made up of a large circular wall named ‘The Wall of Healing’ at its centre a smaller area named ‘The Rind of Remembrance.’

The Wall of Healing: was designed to honour all those who were injured, the first responders and all those who were touched by the events of April 20, 1999. The shootings at Columbine High School affected the nation and the world in many ways. As the largest part of the Columbine Memorial, the Wall of Healing is in place to recognize those who were injured, and provide an opportunity for the public to remember and reflect on their own personal experience. The wall consists of many engraved stones with quotes from students, the community, parents, first responders, and notable statements that were made at the groundbreaking of the Columbine Memorial.

The Ring of Remembrance: Each of the victim’s families was asked to provide a unique and personal reflection in text that would honour their loved one. These remembrances were engraved in stone and stand as a tribute to the victims at Columbine High School. At the centre of the Ring of Remembrance lies the “Never Forgotten” ribbon designed by Kyle Velasquez’s parents, Al and Phyllis

The Foundation’s Wish List

The Board of Directors of the Columbine Memorial Foundations are seeking the following items and/or services to be donated to the Columbine Memorial. Donations sought are for the purpose of maintaining the Columbine Memorial and/or for volunteer group usage. The active support and generosity of the people help to keep the Memorial a beautiful place of remembrance and peace for those who visit each year.

• Plants:  Lavender mist,  Columbines, Corral canyon, Purple asters, Agastaches, Spirea, Maltese crosses and Native grass seed.
• Improvement Items: Lighting and Installation of Lighting for Ring of Remembrance, Stone Monument Sign for entrance, Assorted Outdoor Signage and Outdoor Brochure Holder.
• Supplies: Mulch, Small hand clippers, Lawn/Leaf trash bags, Round Up Spray, Potting Soil, Work Gloves, Wheelbarrow, 4 wheeled heavy duty garden wagon / carts, Chlorine for the fountain, Organic Fertilizer/Compost mix, Prose Co 2010 All Surface Cleaner, Small Storage shed, Shelving for supplies in storage shed, Medium and Large Plastic tubs for storage, Dandelion Diggers and Spading Forks.
• Services: Concrete Caulking, Concrete Grinding, Concrete Removal, Assorted Electrical Needs
  Pavestone Installation, Native grass weed spraying, Native grass mowing, Granite Cleaning and Sealing, Graffiti Removal, Light Repair and/or Replacement parts, Fountain Pump Repairs and Maintenance, Stone Repair / Replacement.

If you are interested in donating and items and/or services please contact Kirsten Kreiling at 303.332.3820 or email Foundation@ColumbineMemorial.org for more information.

Donate

See below how to donate your time or money to this beautiful memorial today, with memorial maintenance costing approximately $10-15,000 / £6-9,000 per year the foundation would greatly appreciate for donations may be sent to:

Columbine Memorial Foundation Inc,
P.O. Box 621636,
Littleton, CO 80162-1636.

For credit card contributions please follow the paypal link here.

Thanks to the current list of Donors who have pledged $500 or more to the foundation.

For alternative donations two brothers: Jonathan and Stephen Cohen of Columbine High School sang this song during Sunday’s memorial service in Littleton, Colo. The proceeds from sales of their CD ($11.95) will go to the victims’ families. See the lyrics to a Friend of mine here.

Friend of Mine: PO Box 3099, Littleton, CO, 80161 or call: 303.797.6474

Volunteer your time by joining the foundations efforts to maintain and care for the Columbine Memorial. There are many roles within the organisation which can use extra support from hands on volunteer work to Committee Chairs / Co-Chairs for Volunteers, Landscaping, Fundraising, Improvements and Repairs, Special Events, and Maintenance Committees.
Volunteer groups are needed to assist with basic maintenance and upkeep needs from early spring to late fall. A truly wonderful opportunity for service groups and youth organizations to be involved in the community: For more information, contact Foundation@columbinememorial.org.

Available Volunteer Dates at the Columbine Memorial are as follows:
Week of: 10-17-10, 11-14-10, 12-12-10, 1-16-11, 2-13-11, 3-13-11, 4-9-11 (Annual Volunteer Spring Clean up), 4-17-11, 5-8-11, 5-22-11, 6-5-11, 6-12-11, 6-19-11, 6-26-11, 7-3-11, 7-10-11, 7-24-11, 8-7-11, 8-21-11. Please let the foundation know if you are available on an alternate date not listed above by calling Lora Knowlton at 303.973.1209 or Kirsten Kreiling at 303.332.3820 for more information.

If your group is interested in volunteering at the Memorial, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator Rod Hunley; rod_hunley@comcast.net

A Final Special Thanks To…

• Lora Knowlton, Secretary/Treasurer
• Alan Cram, Board Member
• Bob Curnow, Board Member
• Donn Kraemer, Board Member
• Karen Jones, Board Member
• Rod Hunley, Board Member
• Dean Pearson, Capital Improvement Committee
• Rod Hunley, Volunteer Coordinator
• Paul Rufien, Legal Counsel
• Karen Jones, Columbine High School Liaison
• Kathy Anderson, Jefferson Foundation
• Lee Andres, CHS Faculty
• Mandy Bowen, CHS Student
• Alan Cram, Former CHS Faculty
• City of Littleton
• Bob Curnow, Parent of Steven Curnow
• Pete Doherty, CHS Parent
• Robert Easton, Foothills Park & Recreation District
• Michael Greunke, Foothills Foundation, CHS Parent
• Doug Ireland, Littleton Fire Rescue
• Donn Kraemer, Lakewood SWAT
• Kirsten Kreiling, Maverick Press
• Dean J. R. Pearson, The Architerra Group
• Lora Knowlton, Foothills Foundation
• Thea Rock, Jefferson County Open Space
• Paul Rufien, CHS Alumni
• Ralph Schell, Jefferson County Open Space
• Tamara Shuck, Mariposa Gardens
• Darrell Schulte, CHS Parent
• Courtney Shakowski, CHS Alumni
• M.L. Tucker, M.L. Richardson, LaFarge Corporation