Shooting Memorials in Tucson, Ariz

In several areas here in Tucson, Ariz., there are memorials set up for Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and the 17 others involved in last Saturday's shootings. People visit the memorials day and night and place their candles and other gifts, stop by to say a prayer and/or stand vigil. The memorials continue to grow by the day. Each of us in our own way is saying, "We care."

A memorial is at Mesa Verde Elementary School for the youngest shooting victim who died, 9 year old Christina-Taylor Green. Christina was a third-grade student at this school. On the chain link fence outside the school, students, parents and other visitors tied colorful ribbons, teddy bears and other stuffed animals (Christina loved animals and someday wanted to be a veterinarian), balloons, drawings and posters with handwritten messages surrounding pictures of Christina. To honor Christina as the only girl on her Canyon del Oro Little League baseball team, a baseball cap tied to the chain link fence by a yellow ribbon, has the message on it: "We will miss you Christina." Among the lit candles, signed cards and written messages on the ground below is a wooden cross with the words, "Christina" and "Hope." To see a photo of this memorial go to: http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/9-year-old-shot-while-holding-hands-with-neighbor-947350.php

A memorial is in front of Gabrielle Giffords office. Below the blue sign displaying the U.S. Congress emblem and in big red and white letters the words "Gabrielle Giffords United States Congress" as a background, flies many mylar balloons of all different sizes, colors and shapes, with themes and messages such as, "Get Well" and "We Love You." There is an abundant amount of all different kinds of colorful flowers, loose, in vases and bouquets, many written messages of love, get well wishes and encouragement, pictures of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, candles of all sizes both religious and non-religious, children's drawings with messages written in crayon, American flags of all sizes, teddy bears and other stuffed animals and dolls of all colors and sizes, handmade signs that say "PEACE" and other messages against violence, signed cards and peace signs on the ground made with rocks. Visitors also placed their gifts on top of the beige cement wall and nearby circular low cement walls surrounding trees. To see a photo of this memorial go to: http://www.reuters.com/article/slideshow?articleId=USTRE7071IA20110109&slide=1#a=1

After the shootings, most of the victims were taken to University Medical Center -- UMC. This is where Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and six others continue to receive medical care. On the property grounds in front of the entrance of this hospital is a memorial, which is dedicated to everyone involved in the shootings. This memorial site consists of many low-flying mylar balloons of all colors, shapes, sizes and designs with all different messages on them such as, "Get Well" and "I Love You." There are many lit candles of all sizes and colors both religious and non-religious, including a lighted path of candles leading to pictures of all the victims. There are many flowers of all different kinds loose, in vases and bouquets, American flags of all different sizes, pictures of all the shooting victims, colorful teddy bears and other stuffed animals, signed cards and messages stating get well wishes, love, "God Bless America," peace and encouragement. To see a photo of this memorial go to:
http://photos.denverpost.com/mediacenter/2011/01/obama-to-be-nations-consoler-at-memorial-service/#22

Sources:

KGUN9News (2011) www.kgun9.com
Arizona Daily Star (2011, January) 'Born, died between 2 tragedies' http://azstarnet.com/news/local/article_28c8e686-1ca6-5b3e-ab85-965bd22c68c0.html