Today has been a day of mixed emotions, both sadness and pride.
Several weeks ago, we were approached by the Clarksburg Chamber of Commerce to see if we could help create a memorial to the four local young men who were killed in car accidents over the last two years. Three of them were lost in a single car accident earlier this year (2016). All four were students at Clarksburg High School, right down the road from our office. Out of respect for their families privacy we will not list their names in this blog.
Of course we said yes.
Ibi Sofillas and Fred Levy from the Chamber visited our facility soon after. We picked out a boulder and made plans to have a plaque made. It was rather surreal when we opened the box and actually looked at the plaque. Here were the names of four kids, gone forever. Remembered on a plaque attached to a rock.
At the same time, I knew there was more to it than that. This rock would be placed at the Clarksburg High School football stadium. A place that I am told they loved. It would be touched by every one of their football teammates as they entered the stadium for games. It would mean more to them than just names on a plaque. It was a way for them to remember their friends and hopefully, embrace the value of life. In the future, when these kids have moved on, students will see these names and their story will continue on.
This morning we placed the boulder with these four names at the stadium as preparation for the unveiling tonight. Their families, friends and teachers will be there. Their spirit will be there. Their boulder will always be there.
Go Coyotes