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The loss of three lives on Sunday at the Jewish Community Center and Village Shalom Retirement Center from two separate shootings has brought out compassion from residents and others worldwide.
"From flowers left at the Jewish Community Center to phone calls, and heartwarming and consoling messages posted online and in emails, this community is finding strength through the actions and words of others," said Mayor Carl Gerlach. "When grief descends upon us, especially the families of the three victims, it's refreshing that so many, most who are strangers, take time to provide words of encouragement and hope. For that, we are truly grateful and shall always remember.
"What I have seen from the victims' families, the Jewish community, law enforcement agencies, and the entire community is a passion that is driven by faith at a time that we are tested to limits that seem unimaginable," Mayor Gerlach added.
Quoting notable faith writer Eugene Exman,
''Common sense tells us we must watch after our interests first. But, that is superseded by the experience of love, which shows us that another's life is as important as our own.'"
Kansas Governor Sam Brownback has ordered flags lowered to half staff at state facilities in Johnson County through Saturday.
As a show of support, Mayor Gerlach is asking others to consider lowering their flags for the victims. They are William Lewis Corporon, 69, his grandson Reat Griffin Underwood, 14 and Terri LaManno, 53.
