Tuesday, October 2, 2007

'Therapeutic'

Families, first responders share emotional day

By CHRIS A. COUROGEN

Amish families plan no formal memorial services to mark today's anniversary of the West Nickel Mines Amish School shootings.

That does not mean they're letting the date pass without notice.

On Monday morning, families of the students who attended the school, along with a host of special guests, gathered at a farm not far from where the shootings took place to mark the occasion with prayers, hymns and a picnic.

"What a wonderful day," said the Rev. Grover G. DeVault, chaplain for Lancaster-based Troop J of the state police. "It was very therapeutic."

The gathering began around 10 a.m. with 75 to 100 people forming a circle to sing hymns of suffering, forgiveness, the hope of heaven and Jesus' love. DeVault led the group, which included state police and first responders, in prayer. State Police Commissioner Jeffrey Miller and others added remarks.

The get-together was held at the home of the Ebersol family, whose 7-year-old daughter, Naomi Rose, was one of five girls killed a year ago. Charles Roberts, a milk truck driver, opened fire on 10 young girls in the one-room schoolhouse in rural Bart Twp. before taking his own life.

The five survivors, one of whom requires a wheelchair, gathered with the group Monday.

The school's teacher and 15 boys, one girl and four other women who escaped the school before the shootings also attended.

Members of the Virginia Tech administration, and the family of one of the 32 victims killed in the shootings on the Blacksburg, Va., campus this year, were on hand, DeVault said. The Virginia Tech contingent brought the Amish a Virginia Tech school flag for the new school.

Amish families traveled to Virginia Tech following the mass slaying there to meet with officials and families and to deliver a comfort quilt.

"They have shared some good fellowship with each other," DeVault said. "They have done a lot of comforting each other."

After topping off a lunch of barbecued chicken with whoopee pies and other Amish deserts, the adults talked and shared scrapbooks the Amish compiled of coverage of the shootings, while the children bounced on a trampoline in the yard and rode their scooters in the lane that led to the Ebersol home.

"They are never far from our hearts. We really appreciate the support of [the Amish] community," Miller said. "The continuing dialogue has helped our troopers."

Later, adults toured the New Hope Amish School next door. The school, which was closed Monday and will remain closed today, was built to replace the West Nickel Mines school, which was torn down after the shootings.

"I broke down when I went inside. There was a flood of memories of the old school, and what I saw that day," DeVault said.

Outside in the schoolyard, a spirited softball doubleheader took place, with two boys displaying home run power, while some of the girls made barehanded basket catches in the outfield that Willie Mays would envy.

"The kids were playing games and having fun. It was nice to see that," Miller said.

"It certainly means a lot for us to spend some time with the families. There is no place we'd rather be this morning than with them."

The Amish families are expected to mark today's anniversary by gathering inside their homes with members of their immediate families.

CHRIS A. COUROGEN: 255-8112 or ccourogen@patriot-news.com