Regarding the article
”
Roadside memorials remind the living of loss,
”
(Free Lance, Dec. 23), as a property owner of the adjacent lot
to where PJ and Matt lost their lives, I vote to leave the
memorial. It is on private property, erected by my neighbor, a
Christian man. The owners of this property do not mind the
memorial; they too, are Christians.
Dear Editor,
Regarding the article “Roadside memorials remind the living of loss,” (Free Lance, Dec. 23), as a property owner of the adjacent lot to where PJ and Matt lost their lives, I vote to leave the memorial. It is on private property, erected by my neighbor, a Christian man. The owners of this property do not mind the memorial; they too, are Christians.
I agree with Matt’s mother, if this serves to save even one more life, its existence plays a vital role in our community. I must say that the night of the accident, we were awakened by the helicopter, trying to land on Santa Ana Valley Road. I have five children, and my three teenagers were all awakened by the sound. We all went down to our fenceline where we could see emergency crews working. As a mother, my heart was ripped from my body when I realized that there, but by the grace of God, could have been one of mine.
I was saddened that night, but I was hopeful that my own teenagers would take away a valuable lesson. When Dec. 6 approached this year, as I walked our private road, I glanced over to the site, and as I did, I broke into tears, knowing that the two families will forever be changed and longing for their sons. I can barely look at that memorial site without my eyes filling with tears. But the site does serve a purpose to those who loved, and morn, and even those of us who did not know the boys, but certainly felt as though we did after that night. The site is a place where we go to remember their spirit. We didn’t know them, but we met with all who came to pay their respects in the days that followed.
I pray that the memorial will remain forever, and that those who knew and loved those young men will never forget them, and will remember to take care when they get behind the wheel of any vehicle.
God Bless the Lopez and Galvin families. May God bring them peace and fill them with love and knowledge that their sons were loved.
Nike Andersen, Hollister
