Today marks the third day of memorials and funerals for the victims of last weeks tragic shooting at Kirkwood City Hall. Thankfully, while exceptions should be mentioned, the community has handled this tragedy with calm and forgiveness.
I offer for those who wish to read more into the characters involved, and the twisted fate of the shooter, a few stories from local papers as well as a recent editorial from a close friend who knew all of those touched by the tragic events of last Thursday.
Today, services for councilwoman Connie Karr have concluded and tomorrow the last of those lost (Cookie Thorton) will be put to rest.
The remarkable outpouring of support, both for the victims as well as the family of Cookie Thorton has been amazing to say the least. With exceptions to a few rabble rousers, the attitude has been calm and sober--it truly seems the community as a whole lost six cherished souls...
Though I had expected a large crowd yesterday for the fallen police officer Thomas Ballman, I didn't expect such a huge procession. Not including the police, I counted 100 cars and SUVs, however with the police/fire and state trooper vehicles included the number easily topped 400.
The procession's length was closely matched by the time it took to pass our house--I clocked it at about 43 minutes (Next time I complain about a long, slow coal train, I'll have something to be grateful for). What struck me however, was not just the Kirkwood community's presence within the procession, but the state-wide police force. Cop cars from nearly every county from Kansas City to Kirksville, even cars with decals from Illinois and Iowa drove by!
If you want to read a nice story on Tom Ballman's life story, check out this link from the St. Louis Post Dispatch.
Aside from Tom Ballman, the only other person I had fostered a relationship with other than Cookie Thorton (the shooter), I cannot put in much input other than I offert the deepest sympathies for Cookie's other victims, and their families.
I found an interesting, and informative article via the local paper from a close friend and fellow war protester, former KHS Principle and regionally respected activist...Franklin McCallie.
Franklin like many in the Kirkwood community shared a close relationship with not just the officials or officers shot, but with the shooter himself--Charles "cookie" Thorton (we call him Cookie). In Franklins letter to the editor, he details the downfall of Cookie from a man of enthusiastic community spirit to one that began to see himself as a victim of racial discrimination and oppression.
Here's the
link to the article.
If you're interested in finding out more, Franklin was a guest on the Charlie Brennan Show on KMOX on Tuesday, and you can find the link to the podcast (28 min) here
UPDATE!
A friend just sent me a link to a story reporting that the media whore Fred Phelps has plans to picket outside Cookie Thorton's funeral on Thursday. Further research has shown this to be true, and while I hate myself for doing this, I'll provide a link to their disturbing explanation for this protest.
I hope Kirkwood citizens will be able to distinguish the hatred of Phelp's message, from that of our own protest group (google kirkwood united troop support)...
I also have fears about how this could escalate racial tensions, and I hope there's at least a police presence to reinforce the security. The last thing we want, or anyone could want, is for the family of Cookie to see Phelps, and no police presence...thus feeling let down by the town.
Here's the flyer from Phelp's newly designed hate
site