Letter To The Editor: Let's All Rally Together To Support Olivia

Dear editor:

After the tragic event in Byron earlier this week, let's all rally together and show our support for Olivia -- the lone survivor of the five-person shooting.

Let's also show our support for her family and friends, the first responders, the dispatchers on the 911 call, the neighbors, or anyone who has suffered from postpartum depression and everyone else involved to know that on Friday, February 14th, between 5:30 pm and 6:30 pm in different communities across the State of Wyoming people gathered to show that in Wyoming you are never alone.

So, let's get all of Wyoming to band together on this one thing. My roots in Wyoming run deep and I have seen how incredible we can be when united, there is truly nothing stronger.

Although our country in general feels divided, I know in my bones that as Wyomingites we can put all things aside and create some good out of this.

I would love for individuals across the state to organize a place where a candlelight vigil can be held. That can be a parking lot, a football field, a park or a church.

There can be multiple gatherings across communities, small or large. Whatever you feel you have the capacity to do, do it. Action is the antidote to despair.

There is a Facebook Event titled “Wyoming for Olivia."

If you are in a position to host a gathering in your community, if you are a pastor, a school administrator or government official please use your power to help organize an event.

And if you’re planning to attend a vigil, feel free to wear purple or yellow. I guess that’s the families' favorite colors.

Join the Facebook event and share where, “Wyoming for Olivia” can take place in your community.

Established vigils with locations:

- Alpine/Star Valley/Lincoln County: Alpine Civic Center 

- Basin: Basin First Baptist Church

- Byron: South Side Park

- Casper: David Street Station

- Cheyenne: Capitol Building

- Cody: Parking lot between the Holiday Inn and Comfort Inn Buffalo Bill Village

- Cowley: Water of Life Church - Main Street, across from the car wash

- Gillette: Children’s Garden on Warlow and Brooks

- Green River: Green River Wolves Stadium

- Lovell: North Big Horn Hospital District

- Pinedale: American Legion Park

- Powell: Homesteader Park

- Riverton: Sunset Park, N 2 St

- Sheridan: Illuminate Church at 38 South Main Street 

- Thermopolis: Community Hall 631 Big Horn Street

- Worland: CrossPoint Baptist 1101 Big Horn

Sincerely,

Abby Roich, Casper