We shall find peace…

  We shall find peace. We shall hear the angels; we shall see the sky sparkling with diamonds. ~Anton Chekhov Charlotte Bacon, 2/22/2006 Daniel Barden, 9/25/2005 Olivia Engel, 7/18/2006 Josephine Gay, 12/11/2005 Ana Marquez-Greene, 4/4/2006 Dylan Hockley, 3/8/2006 Madeleine Hsu, 7/10/2006 Catherine Hubbard, 6/8/2006 Chase Kowalski, 10/31/2005 Jesse Lewis, 6/30/2006 James Mattioli, 3/22/2006 Grace McDonnell, 11/4/2005 [...]

Horrible inequities…

Three West Fargo students died over the past three days.  Three families lost beloved children, students lost friends, and the community lost its sense of serenity.  Whenever a young person dies there is a sense that something in the universe has gone horribly awry.  There is something so difficult to absorb about a young person leaving [...]

I pray…

Two North Dakota soldiers were killed in Afghanistan on Monday.  The soldiers, Sgt. 1st Class Darren Linde, 41, of Devils Lake, and Spc. Tyler Orgaard, 20, of Bismarck, were doing a routine clearance operation when an improvised explosive device struck their vehicle. Spc. Ian Placek, 23, also of Bismarck, was injured in the explosion that [...]

No unwounded soldiers…

Jose Narosky said, "In war, there are no unwounded soldiers."  There are also no families of soldiers who are untouched when their soldier goes into combat.  A price is paid by the military family, a price that while often noted is rarely fully appreciated. Today, I was fortunate to be able to attend the staged [...]

The ashes…

Today is the two year anniversary of the Galleria Fire.  It is a date that is burned in my memory and my family's history.  My two sons, Noah and Cory, and their roommate, Alex, lost everything they owned, their pets, and their naivete about fire's relentless nature. It was a difficult experience and the loss was great.  But I would [...]

Until being strong is your only choice…

When I read the stories of victims and the families of victims that are raising their voices to bring greater awareness to the cost of drinking and driving I am humbled by their strength.  I don't think I could or would be as strong as they are if I was in their shoes.  I think [...]