The anniversary of the deadliest school shooting in U.

Saturday, March 25, 2000

The anniversary of the deadliest school shooting in U.S. history is less than a month away. In the town of Littleton, Colo., Columbine High School officials think at least 100,000 people will want to share in students’ lingering grief over the death of 12 fellow students and a teacher April 16.

The district’s leaders call memories of that harrowing day "a story that will not go away."

On the face of it, confronting the grief created when Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris walked through hallways shooting anyone in their path before turning their guns on themselves, can help some victims deal with the tragedy.

Plans for the anniversary of the Columbine massacre include assemblies, candlelight vigils and even a public remembrance at the state capitol in Denver. The governor also plans to call for a statewide moment of silence at 11:21 a.m., the moment it began.

Yet, many students have become sickened by the constant attention of the press, the chatter among friends and family that like likely remains and even all the planning for the anniversary.

Several want to exclude the public from participating.

Maybe they should. After all, we weren’t there. We did not personally endure the heart-wrenching thoughts of loved ones ripped away by bullets.

But we did suffer as we watched details unfold on television and in newspapers. We looked at our own children and turned away misty-eyed at the thoughts of what other parents were going through.

So, in a few weeks, even if the remaining children of Columbine decide to hold their own vigils without us, we should be there again.

We should again look at our children and think of the other parents.

We should come together, look for the answers in our hearts and take our own personal steps to stop the violence in today’s world.

That’s the best remembrance and the best anniversary ceremony we could attend.