KANABEC COUNTY
THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018 VOL. 135 NO. 12 www.moraminn.com $1.00
WILLY WONKA: Ogilvie Public Schools present imaginative musical. P12
Ogilvie students walk in, walk up BY KIRSTEN FAURIE EDITOR@MORAMINN.COM
Ogilvie Public Schools Own It! students organized a special event last week to honor school shooting victims while encouraging awareness and kindness in their own school. At 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 14, students in grades 6-12 were permitted to hold a “walk in” where students could leave class and walk a designated loop inside the school. The hallways were adorned with paper notes holding positive messages and SEE WALK IN, PAGE 6
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One month after the Parkland, Florida, school shooting, Mora students gathered around photographs and roses to honor the 17 people who died.
Mora students honor victims BY KIRSTEN FAURIE EDITOR@MORAMINN.COM
At 10 a.m. March 14, approximately one quarter of the Mora High School student body gathered on the school lawn to respect and remember the 17 people who died in the Parkland, Florida school shooting. The event was organized by the Mora student council, which included a table adorned with
photos, the names of those who died as well as 17 roses and a poster that read “17 flowers for 17 precious lives lost.” While it was not a school-sanctioned event, administration permitted the students to leave class without retribution for a 17 minute period. Students used the time to examine the table and pay their respects as they were watched over by school administration, staff and
AMBER AASEN SUBMITTED
Notes with positive messages and the names of the Parkland school shooting victims covered the walls of Ogilvie school during the student led “Walk In; Walk Up” event.
Community discusses Mora school safety BY KIRSTEN FAURIE EDITOR@MORAMINN.COM
an officer of Kanabec County Sheriff’s Office. There were no speeches made, posters or acts that could be interpreted as a protest. Molly Lukenbill, grade 11, was a member of the student council who helped create the event. She said, “We worked to honor the students and we wanted to make sure that school safety is
On March 14, one month after the Parkland, Florida, school shooting that ended in the death of 17 people, the same day as nationwide gun control protests and student walk outs, a group of about 25 concerned Mora residents gathered at Freddies’ Restaurant to discuss potential security features or plans they hoped to propose for implementation at Mora schools. The event was chiefly organized by two men: Mark Cannon who is a Mora firefighter, owner of Freddies’
SEE HONOR, PAGE 6
SEE SAFETY, PAGE 6
Special exhibits honoring veterans will draw national attention BY KIRSTEN FAURIE EDITOR@MORAMINN.COM
Special events and exhibits honoring veterans will draw the nation’s attention to Mora this summer as the event draws attention to the need for healing. The Mora American Legion and Cloverdale Chapter of the Disabled American Veterans have joined together to bring two important memorials to the Mora Civic Center and fairgrounds over the weekend of Aug. 3-6. One is a traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. The wall is designed to travel throughout the United States. The second memorial is The Eyes of Freedom: Lima Company Memorial. This traveling tribute features life-sized por-
traits of the 23 fallen Marines and Navy corpsman of Lima Company. The Lima Company is a Marine reserve unit and remains one of the hardest hit units in Operation Iraqi Freedom. This tribute was created by artist Anita Miller which not only features paintings, but the real boots of those who died stand at the base of their portraits. The piece’s mission is to “Honor the service and sacrifice of all who answer our nation’s call.” The featured event will be the unveiling of Miller’s lifesized bronze sculpture, “Silent Battle,” which honors those veterans lost to post traumatic stress disorder. The sculpture was inspired by Iraq combat veteran Brian Zimmerman of Mora which depicts a grieving soldier holding NEWS 320-679-2661 editor@moraminn.com
EYES OF FREEDOM | SUBMITTED
Artist Anita Miller works on creating a life-sized bronze sculpture entitled “Silent Battle” in hopes of reaching out to those who struggle with PTSD.
the dog tags of his fallen peers. This will be the first time the sculpture is publicly unveiled. The unveiling will take place Saturday, Aug. 4 at 1 p.m.
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The unveiling is expected to draw a number of military dignitaries, legislators and news teams broadcasting the events. Lee Goldsmith Post 201 SUBSCRIPTIONS 320-679-2661 subscriptions@moraminn.com
Commander Alan Skramstad and a Vietnam veteran said these memorials are meant to bring veterans of the past and present together and offer an opportunity for healing. It is a chance for veterans to see their peers, honor the names on the wall, share and remember. Skramstad said the memorials and events show, “we didn’t forget anybody.” The Mora American Legion and Cloverdale DAV have been collecting sponsorships and donations to fund the events. For more information about supporting the event or making a donation, contact Al Skramstad at 679-4733. Watch the Kanabec County Times for more information as the event draws nearer. Kirsten Faurie is the editor of the Kanabec County Times.
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