LEWISTON, Maine – In the aftermath of the devastating mass shooting that shook the city in October, locals began to create makeshift memorials around the city to mourn the lives lost. Flowers, stuffed animals, and crosses accumulated outside the entertainment venues where the tragedy occurred, serving as a temporary source of comfort for grieving residents. However, the Maine Museum of Innovation, Learning, and Labor removed nearly all of the memorials, with plans to preserve the items as a remembrance of the state’s worst crime.
With wounds still fresh from the Oct. 25 massacre, the idea of a permanent memorial has not yet gained widespread attention in Lewiston. Mayor Carl Sheline expressed support for a community memorial to honor the lives lost and the strength of the city. Discussions on the form and structure of such a memorial have not surfaced publicly, although it is a topic of private conversation among some residents.
Similar to other communities across America affected by mass shootings, different cities have implemented various types of memorials to commemorate their lost loved ones. For instance, some places have opted for simple stone monuments, while others have constructed more elaborate structures. In Killeen, Texas, a granite slab with the names of the 1991 shooting victims is a simple but poignant memorial, while the city of San Bernardino, California, unveiled an intricate Curtain of Courage Memorial to honor the victims of a 2015 shooting.
In Virginia Beach, a $9.7 million memorial is currently in progress to honor the 2019 mass shooting victims. The project aims to provide a serene and reflective space for visitors, with elements such as a survivor’s grove, hero tree, and memorial area with falling waters. Similar memorial projects are also underway for other tragic events like the 2012 Aurora movie theater shooting and the 2017 First Baptist Church shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas.
The diverse range of memorials seen in various cities around the country all share a common goal—to offer a place for solace and remembrance after unthinkable tragedies. Regardless of their design or scale, these memorials serve as a lasting testament to the communities’ resilience and the lives lost.