Hundreds Gather to Mourn Midland Train Tragedy Victims
By: Jenne Anderson
Updated: November 16, 2012
MIDLAND-- Tears fell, and prayers were lifted all in remembrance of the veterans in Thursday's terrible tragedy.
"These guys have been through enough, them and their families," said Patriot Guard Rider Garland Hadley. "And it's just a disaster what happened."
Hadley is the tail gunner for the Patriot Guard Riders in Midland.
He says he came out to the Friday morning prayer vigil in downtown Midland to show his love for the veterans, and also to rally round the Show of Support Organization.
"I came down here to tell them I'm not giving up," stated Hadley. "I'll still support them 100%. I'm still here with them."
Although the wounds from the accident are still fresh, Readjustment Counselors for Combat Veterans say with time, the Midland Community and those affected should be able to move forward.
"Grief takes a long time," said Combat Veterans Counselor Dennis Wright. "The average person it will take up to a year just to get some sense of normalcy."
Midland Mayor Wes Perry says that, while this is a horrible time for the city, it has also shown how resilient and determined Midlanders can be, as they have rushed forward to help the victims.
"I am convinced without a shadow of a doubt that at the end of this we'll be stronger, and we'll be better," said Mayor Perry. "And that's the most important thing, and we have to take it step by step."
And that's exactly what Hadley plans to do.
He says he's choosing to remember the victims rather than dwell on the tragedy.
"I really wish that this deal is to look forward to where every year these guys and girls are remembered and make something positive out of this, instead of something negative," said Hadley.
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"These guys have been through enough, them and their families," said Patriot Guard Rider Garland Hadley. "And it's just a disaster what happened."
Hadley is the tail gunner for the Patriot Guard Riders in Midland.
He says he came out to the Friday morning prayer vigil in downtown Midland to show his love for the veterans, and also to rally round the Show of Support Organization.
"I came down here to tell them I'm not giving up," stated Hadley. "I'll still support them 100%. I'm still here with them."
Although the wounds from the accident are still fresh, Readjustment Counselors for Combat Veterans say with time, the Midland Community and those affected should be able to move forward.
"Grief takes a long time," said Combat Veterans Counselor Dennis Wright. "The average person it will take up to a year just to get some sense of normalcy."
Midland Mayor Wes Perry says that, while this is a horrible time for the city, it has also shown how resilient and determined Midlanders can be, as they have rushed forward to help the victims.
"I am convinced without a shadow of a doubt that at the end of this we'll be stronger, and we'll be better," said Mayor Perry. "And that's the most important thing, and we have to take it step by step."
And that's exactly what Hadley plans to do.
He says he's choosing to remember the victims rather than dwell on the tragedy.
"I really wish that this deal is to look forward to where every year these guys and girls are remembered and make something positive out of this, instead of something negative," said Hadley.
Like Jenne Anderson's page on Facebook.
