LAS VEGAS, United States (Eagle News) — Las Vegas residents turn their attention from the unforgettable to the memorable, and to unity and healing, after the worst mass shooting in US history.
Numerous Las Vegas residences and establishments, in collaboration with nationwide efforts and contributions, have made this heartbreaking incident a part of what was envisioned from the beginning of time, a truly United States of America.
Efforts towards healing and unity began immediately, with stories of heroism from the incident’s first responders coming in.
The first responders were among those worthy of commendation — the police, the fire department, the courageous human beings who came together in the time of disaster and the community wide assistance and efforts that collaborated for the betterment of all directly and indirectly affected.
Almost 48 hours to what is referred as, the worst shooting in US history, Las Vegas residents turn their attention from the unforgettable to the memorable. (Photo from EBC Las Vegas Bureau, Eagle News Service)
Assistance continued to pour in from all over the country as well as from those who call this place home.
Since Las Vegas is known as a tourist place for people all over the world, it will continue to welcome all with open arms and embrace those who were both identified and unidentified with their rapid response, in this time of great need, residents said.
People donated food and water. People also lined up to donate blood for the injured who need it.
Fifty-eight people died and nearly 500 were injured when 64-year-old Stephen Paddock opened fire on an outdoor country music festival — an act that investigators are still at a loss to explain — before taking his own life.
Meanwhile, far from the Las Vegas Strip and its flashy hotels, a small healing park opened Friday in the north of Las Vegas, as communities shaken by Sunday’s horrific mass shooting join together to grieve.
One of its creators, landscape architect Mark Hamalmann, said it is a “remembrance garden,” featuring 58 trees planted along a small paved walkway. In the middle, there is a large oak tree representing the “tree of life,” while American flags adorn a wooden fence.
“Everything here is donated by local companies, everyone here is a volunteer, and it’s just amazing how it’s come together,” Hamalmann, who oversaw the garden’s construction, told AFP.
In the healing park, he explained, everyone is welcome to walk, sit and reflect on the benches, or leave messages on a wall of
remembrance.
And there is little doubt healing is what Las Vegas needs.
Several clinics in Las Vegas have organized counseling sessions for people struggling since the shooting — including survivors, relatives or simply those suffering from anxiety in the wake of the atrocity.
At the University of Las Vegas (UNLV), a clinic was set up at The Practice, where psychology students are trained.
Some who seek help “want to talk and share,” while others “will feel pretty constricted and not be ready,” director Michelle Paul said, adding it’s important to “provide a sense of security, safety, comfort, basic problem solving,” to disoriented patients.
“What we try to do is work collaboratively with clients and try to figure out for them, what’s going on for them, normalize that, and then also help them come up with some positive coping strategies,” she explained.
(Alex Tejada, EBC Las Vegas Bureau, Eagle News Service, with a report from Agence France Presse)
