FC LIFE March 2018

ATRIPTO PARKLAND The sun was just about to shed its light as 55 orange t-shirted residents of Frenchman's Creek climbed up the steps of the large white bus waiting to take us to the rally and march at the Parkland High School. It was Saturday, March 24, 2018 at 7:00 AM as we were introduced to our driver and given the schedule for the day ahead. Three women stood at the front of the bus sharing the microphone to tell us we would first be arriving at a large field where the rally would take place. After that we would participate in a 2-mile march to the Parkland High School to witness firsthand the memorial that had been accumulating there---a collection of cards and photographs and gifts from far and near to honor the 14 students and 3 teachers who had been shot and killed on February 14. The three women "in charge" of us were the ones who had the vision and foresight to arrange this trip to Parkland. They are Cathy Goldberg, Melanie Lipson and Esther Glasser; and those of us who accompanied them on this journey are forever grateful that they provided us the opportunity to participate. Of course there were snacks to eat during the ride---doughnuts and croissants for the ones who didn't have a chance to eat breakfast--and plenty of water for the day ahead. At no time did these three women lose their patience or sense of humor as they heard the questions about where the bus would leave us; and where we would find the bus at the end of the day. Cathy, Melanie and Esther assured us that the bus would not leave until everyone was back in their seat. They meant it!! The drive down the Turnpike to Parkland went quickly;

and we were among the first of the hundreds of buses to get to the field. We had been warned that it would be difficult to stay together because of the huge crowds that were expected and that we should be on the lookout for the orange t-shirts most of us were wearing to find each other if we were separated during the day. I was lucky to be part of a foursome who really looked out for each other and who shared just about every human emotion as the day progressed. After about an hour making sure we were in a good spot to see and hear the speeches, the program began. All the current students of Parkland High School were invited to fill the seats in the bleachers set up next to the podium. That in itself was a touching scene, knowing that these students have been through such a horrible

experience. There was a large jumbotron screen set up on the podium---with a sound system good enough to carry the words throughout this huge expanse and able to reach the ears of the thousands and thousands who were arriving. At about 10:00 AM the program began. We stood with about 30,000 people listening to the words of several parents of the victims, fellow classmates and friends of the victims, musicians singing appropriate ballads, and appreciating the many tables set up all around us available for people to register to vote. Linda Rosenson, Rima Robinson, Carol Schulman and Barbara Field

Continued on page 3

Page 2

Made with FlippingBook Annual report