Remember the Stoneman Douglas shooting victims

This week will bring the oneyear mark of life without our wonderful daughter Gina. Something I never thought would happen. She should be here with us as a vibrant and vital part of our family. And yet the sad reality is that she is gone.

We face this devastating fact not just on February 14th — but every single day of the year.

We say it. We hear it. We see it and read about it all the time: “17 angels,” “the victims of the Parkland tragedy.” Or, as I have often said “17 wonderful souls.”

It is hard for others to comprehend the depth of our loss. This Thursday we ask that everyone remember that — long before they became victims — they were people. Happy people, with families that loved them. Some were respected educators, coaches, and figures on the school campus.

Scott Beigel, 35, a geography teacher and the school’s cross-country coach.

Aaron Feis, 37, an assistant football coach, husband, and a father.

Chris Hixon, 49, a father, husband, and the school’s athletic director.

All of the victims were beloved sons and daughters, excellent students, our neighbors, athletes, artists, dancers, or musicians. They were ambitious kids with bright futures and a desire to make a difference in the world. Many looked to serve others as volunteers in the community or through future military service. These were the students: Alyssa Alhadeff, 14 Martin Duque, 14 Nicholas Dworet, 17 Jaime Guttenberg, 14 Luke Hoyer, 15 Cara Loughran, 14

Gina Montalto, 14 Joaquin Oliver, 17

Alaina Petty, 14

Meadow Pollack, 18

Helena Ramsay, 17

Alex Schachter, 14

Carmen Schentrup, 16

Peter Wang, 15

We are blessed to be part of a warm and giving community here in Broward. In the year since this tragedy, our families have all felt the warmth and support that flows around us. We need all the support you have to offer to help us through each painful day. Most importantly we want to thank you all for caring.

I ask that on February 14th each of you pause for just a few moments, reflect on your good fortune for not being a family that experienced the loss of a loved one in this horrific mass school shooting, and think about the 17 families that will never again celebrate a Happy Valentine’s Day.

Please take the time to remember those who were lost. For those of you that knew one or more of these 17 special people, please try to recall the good times you shared, the connections you had with them, and maybe, just maybe, a smile will be able to break through your tears.

I will close out by imploring parents to hug their children more often and ask children to return the favor. I will remind all of us to say “I love you” to our spouses and to our families every day. Finally, I will say that we miss Gina very much and ask that you help honor her memory by showing a little more kindness and compassion toward one another.