On Sunday January 16 I participated in the “Walk for Peace” from Columbus Park (E. Glenn and Columbus Ave.) to Congresswoman “Gabby” Giffords’ Tucson district office at 1661 N. Swan Road (SW corner of Pima Street). Several hundred people participated in the 4 mile walk, in memory of the 6 victims murdered on January 8, 2011, as well as to wish Gabby and the other 12 wounded full & speedy recoveries. 3 of her aides were also shot, one fatally (Gabe Zimmerman, whom I worked with in the past on her 2006 campaign). The other two wounded aides (Ron Barber and Pam Simon) were released from University Medical Center (UMC) last week.
Here’s the photos I took today with the Panasonic Lumix camera I won at our Tucsoncitizen.com holiday/blogger appreciation party on December 4, 2010.
At this particular office memorial site there are lots and lots of flowers & candles, cards, messages, photos, balloons, peace signs, as well as potted plants, flags, stuffed animals, statues, vases, wreaths, beads/necklaces, ornaments, caps, even fruits — all left in loving memory of the victims and as get well wishes for the wounded. Stop by sometime and share a somber moment at this peaceful, touching memorial.
Congresswoman Giffords is listed in “serious” condition at UMC, and is scheduled to be transferred to a rehabilitation hospital in Houston, Texas on Friday, where her NASA astronaut husband Mark Kelly lives and works.
UPDATE: For photos of the memorial at the Safeway on Oracle/Ina, click here. And for photos of the memorial at UMC, click here.