AURORA | In the days following the attack that killed 12 and injured dozens, Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan insisted that the tragedy would never define the community.
One year after the theater shootings the shocked the world, Hogan stood in front a modest crowd gathered in front of the Aurora Municipal Center and repeated that message. But Hogan’s words during the early morning vigil held Saturday also included larger themes about strength, healing and the community far beyond the city.
Police officers report to duty for Aurora’s Day of Remembrance ceremony Saturday morning, July 20 outside the Aurora Municipal Center. The ceremony marked the one-year anniversary of the shooting at the Century Aurora 16 theater that killed 12 and wounded 58. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)
Members of Sleep Well perform “Heroes” for Aurora’s Day of Remembrance ceremony July 20, at the Aurora Municipal Center. The song was written by Sam Columna during the aftermath of the Aurora shooting and the ceremony marked the one-year anniversary of the shooting at the Century Aurora 16 theater that killed 12 and wounded 58. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)
Engineer Sam Holmes guards the Aurora fire department’s funeral bell at Aurora’s Day of Remembrance ceremony, July 20 at the Aurora Municipal Center. The ceremony marked the one-year anniversary of the shooting at the Century Aurora 16 theater that killed 12 and wounded 58. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)
A child picks petals for his mom before Aurora’s Day of Remembrance ceremony, July 20 at the Aurora Municipal Center. The ceremony marked the one-year anniversary of the shooting at the Century Aurora 16 theater that killed 12 and wounded 58. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)
Vigil attendees hold white roses during Aurora’s Day of Remembrance ceremony, July 20 at the Aurora Municipal Center. The ceremony marked the one-year anniversary of the shooting at the Century Aurora 16 theater that killed 12 and wounded 58. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)
Vigil attendees comfort each other during Aurora’s Day of Remembrance ceremony, July 20 at the Aurora Municipal Center. The ceremony marked the one-year anniversary of the shooting at the Century Aurora 16 theater that killed 12 and wounded 58. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)
Vigil attendees support one another during Aurora’s Day of Remembrance ceremony, July 20 at the Aurora Municipal Center. The ceremony marked the one-year anniversary of the shooting at the Century Aurora 16 theater that killed 12 and wounded 58. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)
Dr. Comilla Sasson holds back tears as she addresses the crowd during Aurora’s Day of Remembrance ceremony, July 20 at the Aurora Municipal Building. The ceremony marked the one-year anniversary of the shooting at the Century Aurora 16 theater that killed 12 and wounded 58. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)
Vigil attendees wipe away tears during Aurora’s Day of Remembrance ceremony, July 20 at the Aurora Municipal Center. The ceremony marked the one-year anniversary of the shooting at the Century Aurora 16 theater that killed 12 and wounded 58. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel) The ceremony marked the one-year anniversary of the shooting at the Century Aurora 16 theater that killed 12 and wounded 58. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)
Vigil attendees support one another during Aurora’s Day of Remembrance ceremony, July 20 at the Aurora Municipal Center. The ceremony marked the one-year anniversary of the shooting at the Century Aurora 16 theater that killed 12 and wounded 58. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)
Mayor Steve Hogan gives Congressman Ed Perlmutter a supportive hug after Aurora’s Day of Remembrance ceremony, July 20 at the Aurora Municipal Center. The ceremony marked the one-year anniversary of the shooting at the Century Aurora 16 theater that killed 12 and wounded 58. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)
Vigil attendees leave white roses for the victims of the Aurora shooting after Aurora’s Day of Remembrance ceremony, July 20 at the Aurora Municipal Center. The ceremony marked the one-year anniversary of the shooting at the Century Aurora 16 theater that killed 12 and wounded 58. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)
A petal from a white rose remains on the ground after Aurora’s Day of Remembrance ceremony, July 20 at the Aurora Municipal Building. The ceremony marked the one-year anniversary of the shooting at the Century Aurora 16 theater that killed 12 and wounded 58. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)
“Through our sadness and tears, we have grieved, we have supported each other in feeling, we have survived and we are finding ways to move forward,” Hogan said, after stating that he’d received a call from the White House early this morning. “This is a story of resilience not just of Aurora, but of humankind.”
The crowd gathered on the great lawn this year numbered in the hundreds, and that crowd paled in comparison to the thousands that converged at the same site days after the shootings. But those who did attend showed their support with solemn prayers, tears and memorials in different forms.
The Aurora Symphony Orchestra and the band Sleep Well, headed by Aurora native Sam Columna, played music for the milling crowd. University of Colorado Hospital emergency room doctor Comilla Sasson offered a teary tribute to the health-care community. Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper spoke to the importance of focusing on courage and kindness.
“We said a year ago that we will remember,” Hickenlooper said. “We were talking about the remarkable individuals whose lives were lost that evening. We made that pledge.”
That vow played a large role in the ceremony.
A military serviceman struck a bell as Hogan and Hickenlooper took turns reciting the names of the 12 victims. A line of attendees that included congressmen, Aurora city council members, school district officials, victims and their families and community members shuffled by a massive wreath to lay down white roses as a symbol of remembrance.
The true weight of the ceremony came through in the simple message attached to the wreath: “In memory of those lost and whose lives were forever changed.”
For more photographs from today’s Day of Remembrance, click here.
Related
