"Together We Thrive," a Memorial for Our Nation's Lost Ones in Tucson Arizona

My mother always told me that you can gather the entire family together for weddings or funerals. Unfortunately tonight our nation's family gathered in front of television sets to join the approximately 13,000 people seated inside the McKale Memorial Center at the University of Arizona, along with approximately 13,000 people seated nearby at a stadium, to mourn, celebrate, and remember the lives of six people who were tragically murdered by the hands of an evil perpetrator on Saturday, January 8^th, 2011. I will not dignify this man with a name in this essay.

Dorothy Morris, Judge John Roll, Dorwan Stoddard, Phyllis Schneck, Gabe Zibberman, and a remarkable nine year old girl named Christina-Taylor Green had their lives shortened on this earth by his barbaric act of violence. These citizens were at a gathering outside a Safeway store for a, "greet and meet," with Arizona's congresswoman, Gabrielle Giffords.

Gabrielle Giffords appeared to be the attended target and is now a survivor, still fighting bravely for her life in a hospital from a traumatic brain injury. She is a well liked congresswoman but has also been the victim of negative attacks. Gabrielle Gifford's husband, Mark Kelly, is one of our nation's top astronauts. Twelve other victims, no less important, suffered various degrees of injuries and are now survivors, walking along their own healing paths.

At tonight's memorial service, eloquently titled, "Together We Thrive," victim's family members, friends, private citizens, politicians, along with our President and Mrs. Obama, gathered to share memorial stories of our lost heroes. Surgeons and first responders who fought to save the lives of as many victims as possible also gathered in the front seats. The living heroes who risked their lives to stop the violent carnage were also up front. Patricia Maisch wrestled with the perpetrator, risking her own life by grabbing an ammo magazine, preventing him from reloading. Bill Badger, a seventy-four year old retired man, injured himself and Roy Salzgeber jumped in managed to hold the perpetrator down, preventing him from continuing on with his manic act of planned terroristic violence.

These heroes were given standing ovations as their names were announced, along with their stories. Nine year old Christina-Taylor Green's story seems to have hit all our hearts. She was born on a tragic violent day in our nation's history, September 11, 2001, and now left the earth on a tragic violent day. Her short life of servitude, wanting to meet Gabrielle Giffords, a woman she respected because she wanted to one day serve her country, is one we all should desire to follow. Judge John Roll just came out of church to say hello to someone he admired. Dorwan Stoddard lost his life shielding his wife. George Morris attempted to shield his wife Dorothy but unfortunately her life was not to be spared. Gabe Zimmerman was Gabrielle's outreach director. The other victims and survivors have their own unique stories that were shared with the nation tonight.

After several speakers, including the Governor of Arizona, Janet Napolitano, our Secretary of Homeland Security, and Daniel Hernandez Jr., an intern who risked his life to help save Gabrielle's life at the scene, President Obama spoke. President Obama honored the victims and families of this senseless tragedy. He encouraged our nation to come together in a sense of support as we go on. Once again our nation has to face another senseless act of violence.

"Together We Thrive," speaks the truth. With all the political drama and conflicts going on in our nation, if we could only remember that we are one nation. If only we could continue with these thoughts and not let it vanish away, as we once held each other up on the days after September 11, 2001, the day Christina-Taylor Green was born. Remember and honor this little girl, and the other victims forced to leave us too soon.

The right to bear arms may be our right, but I don't understand the tragedies that befall innocent people because of the idiots that bear arms and snuff out lives. There has to be better controls in licensing guns and preventing illegal guns from being bought. RIP you innocent six and speedy recoveries to the injured victims and their families. May we all learn as we heal from another unnecessary tragedy that attacked our nation.

You can watch the video of President Obama's remarks at the memorial via ABC's television link below.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/video/obama-remarks-tucson-tragedy-arizona-12603312