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Prayer Vigil Begins Healing for Mourning Community
Prayer Vigil Begins Healing for Mourning Community 11/17/12
CBS 7 News Reporter
November 17, 2012
tguinn@cbs7.com
Midland - Two days after the devastating train crash left four American war heroes dead, the community is left to figure out just what happened in this celebration gone wrong.
Tonight hundreds came out to show their support at a prayer vigil.
Midland Mayor Wes Perry addressed the crowd tonight, he said although we may not understand why this tragedy had to happen, now is the time for us to come together and be strong for each other.
Community leaders are calling it the most tragic event Midland has ever experienced and tonight hundreds came out to begin healing.
Those young and old came to support each other and honor the lives lost two days ago.
"My mom said she might cry so I thought I should come," young boy scout Ethan Magee said.
Ethan and his mom Lori drove up on the accident just minutes after the train crashed into the large float that was carrying veterans and their loved ones.
"I turned and told Ethan something bad just happened, something really bad. We began praying while we drove," Lori Magee said.
Tonight, they came out to say a prayer and show respect for the fallen war heroes.
"To show our support for our city, for the fallen soldiers, for the families...anyone affected," Magee said.
Expressions of pain and tear filled eyes, only visible by candle light, showed how much the community has been affected by this tragedy.
"Grief is terrible, but when it is shared, it is softened. Tonight we share our grief," U.S. Representative Mike Conaway said.
And by candle light, the people of Midland honored our heroes and began on the long road to recovery as a family.
Also at tonight's vigil was the U.S. Honor Flag that has literally traveled all over the world.
Creator of the Honor Flag, Chris Heisler said there's no better place for the flag to be than to bring healing to Midland, Texas.