LEWISTON, Maine – In the aftermath of a mass shooting that shook the city of Lewiston in October, makeshift memorials were created by heartbroken residents as a way to find solace in the wake of the tragedy. Flowers, stuffed animals, crosses, posters, cards, and other items were left outside the two entertainment venues where the gunman mowed down 18 people and wounded at least 13 others. However, nearly all of these makeshift memorials have now been removed by the Maine Museum of Innovation, Learning, and Labor with the intention of preserving much of it in the wake of the worst crime the state has ever experienced.
The removal of these memorials has left the community considering what comes next, particularly the question of whether a permanent memorial should be created. The wounds caused by the October 25 massacre are still fresh in the minds of Lewiston residents, so discussions about a permanent memorial have not yet gained public attention, although private conversations about the idea have been taking place.
Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline has come forward to endorse the idea of a community memorial, acknowledging the need to recognize the lives lost and the resiliency found in the community. While the form of this potential memorial remains uncertain, the sad reality is that mass shootings have become an unfortunate staple of modern American life, leading other places to establish permanent memorials as places for people to mourn and remember.
The nature of these memorials varies widely. Some communities chose to create simple memorials such as stone slabs, while others created more elaborate memorials with intricate designs and personalized tributes to the victims. For instance, the city of San Bernardino in California employed a $1.5 million memorial that features intricate design elements and was unveiled on the fifth anniversary of a 2015 shooting that claimed the lives of 14 people.
While some of these memorials are complete, others are still in the planning stages, such as the $10 million memorial in Virginia Beach, which is anticipated to open in 2025. From campuses to community centers, the nation is seeing a diverse array of memorials, each one reflecting a common grief and the desire for healing. With each tragic event, communities across the country have confronted the task of memorializing the lives lost, and each memorial is a testament to the resilience and unity of those affected.
In the wake of these tragedies, the creation of memorials acts as a crucial part of the healing process for communities. Each memorial serves as a unique reminder of the lives lost and the enduring impact of the events. As the nation navigates this trend of mass shootings, the establishment of these memorials provides a space for reflection, remembrance, and a sense of closure for the loved ones of the victims.