LEWISTON, Maine – Following a tragic mass shooting last October, the city of Lewiston saw an outpouring of makeshift memorials as a way for grieving residents to find solace. These memorials, composed of flowers, crosses, stuffed animals, and cards, were established at the two venues where the shooting occurred. However, the Maine Museum of Innovation, Learning, and Labor has since collected nearly all of these items, with plans to preserve them in the wake of the state’s worst-ever crime.
The future of a permanent memorial in Lewiston remains uncertain, as the wounds from the October 25th massacre remain fresh. Although discussions about a lasting memorial have not yet surfaced in public, Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline has expressed his support for the idea of a community memorial to honor the lives lost and the resilience found in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Amidst the ongoing discussions, it’s important to recognize that mass shootings have become a grim reality of modern American life. Many other communities have erected memorials to honor the victims of such tragedies, with each memorial taking on different forms and designs.
For instance, the city of San Bernardino, California, unveiled a $1.5 million memorial with 14 individual alcoves made of bronze-colored glass, while Killeen, Texas, opted for a simpler granite slab listing the names of the victims of a mass shooting in 1991.
In Virginia Beach, efforts are underway to construct a nearly $10 million memorial following a 2019 mass shooting. Similarly, other major memorials are being planned for well-known school shootings, such as those at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, and Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.
Memorials such as these not only honor the victims of senseless violence but also serve as places of solace and reflection for the affected communities. Each memorial is a unique statement of remembrance and healing, providing a space for individuals to pay their respects and find closure.
Therefore, as the discussion for a permanent memorial in Lewiston continues, it is worth acknowledging the value of these memorials in preserving the memory of those lost to tragic events and fostering a sense of communal healing. The form and design of a possible memorial in Lewiston will undoubtedly reflect the collective desire of the community to honor and remember the lives affected by the devastating mass shooting.