(Seventeen lives were lost and countless others changed 6 months ago, the day of a tragic massacre at Marjory Stoneman High School in Parkland, Florida. Photo via Wikimedia Commons)
Six months ago today, on Valentine’s Day, is when the community of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida — and the nation — changed forever when a mass shooter took the lives of 17 students and teachers.
Remembering 17 from 2/14
Alyssa Alhadeff
Martin Duque Anguiano
Scott Beigel
Nicholas Dworet
Aaron Feis
Jaime Guttenberg
Chris Hixon
Luke Hoyer
Cara Loughran
Gina Montalto
Joaquin Oliver
Alaina Petty
Meadow Pollack
Helena Ramsay
Alex Schachter
Carmen Schentrup
Peter Wang pic.twitter.com/oZd1US84Ve— Parkland Talk (@ParklandTalk) August 14, 2018
Immediately, impassioned leaders emerged from MSD, re-energizing the national conversation around gun violence and gun laws, using their pain and loss to try to spark change. Some have even become household names.
Their movement, often called #NeverAgain, held the huge March For Our Lives rally in Washington, D.C. and dozens of other cities around the country and world in March, and then took their messages on the road this summer in the Road to Change bus tour.
The movement’s focus now is on registering young people to vote and then getting them to the polls in the hopes of changing government enough to change gun laws.
Tomorrow a new school year starts at MSD. Today, here’s what some of the Parkland survivors are saying on social media to mark the six month anniversary of the day that shattered, and changed, their lives.
Some are sharing how haunted they are by what happened that day, with the 17 lost on their minds and in their hearts.
it doesn’t feel like it’s been 6 months. it’s been the longest 6 months ever yet feels like it happened 2 weeks ago.
— natasha #NeverAgain (@sighnatasha) August 14, 2018
6 months and the events of that day still replays in my head constantly
— Morgan Williams (@morganw_44) August 14, 2018
Had to take a deep breath
as I come to the realization of what happened 6 months ago.— Carlitos / #STORIESUNTOLD (@cswaggyway) August 14, 2018
6 months.
6 months since all of our lives were destroyed, and 6 months of us putting them back together.
Our heart is still broken for those 17. It is broken for every life, every smile, every bit of joy stolen that day. Remember them. #MSDStrong— Delaney Tarr (@delaneytarr) August 14, 2018
Six months ago, time stopped. Tragedy struck, and the world lost some of its best. Wishing my entire community a calm and reflective day of healing before school picks up again tomorrow.#MSDStrong
— Cameron Kasky (@cameron_kasky) August 14, 2018
It’s been half a year and it doesn’t get easier, but we get stronger everyday.
We fight for them, love for them, and live for them.
Never forget the reason why we are fighting for change, it’s because they are no longer here to fight for themselves. RIP 17?
— Lauren Hogg (@lauren_hoggs) August 14, 2018
today marks 6 months since 17 beautiful lifes were taken. i am living everyday of my life honoring them, trying my best to make them proud. at 15 years old i never thought this is something i’d have to experience. but im staying strong for them. i dont take anything for granted,
— gabs (@gabbibenzaken) August 14, 2018
6 months, and there is still not a day where I don’t think about what went down on February 14th, and the 17 innocent lives that were taken. #neveragain #MSDstrong
— Carly Sage ??? (@carlysage001) August 14, 2018
There’s some gratitude amid the mourning.
February 14, 2018. Thank you God for saving my brother. Thank you to my brother for calling me as he was running telling me to hide ? #NeverForget pic.twitter.com/KKzgFqDDQV
— Jackie McKenna (@jaackie33) August 14, 2018
Others are posting in honor of the ones they lost — a friend, a coach, a daughter.
Today is one of the harder days… 6 months without you Gina Rose ? Not a day goes by where I don’t think of you. I MISS YOU SO MUCH? pic.twitter.com/iIpbTOXQi8
— Jillian (@jillianhalloran) August 14, 2018
6 months too long pic.twitter.com/JfZflN6jAQ
— V (@17roseV) August 14, 2018
Can’t believe it’s been 6 months. #msdstrong. I miss you meadow, Guac, and Feis ❤️??
— Tyra Hemans (@tyra_hemans) August 14, 2018
Tomorrow marks 6 months…this penguin was part of Carmen’s gift on 2/14/18. I know she saw it before school, because it was taken out of the bag left for her. The last thing I said before heading to work was “Love u. Have a Happy Valentine’s Day.”
That was the worst day…
? pic.twitter.com/uDoiNNSV3g— April Schentrup (@AprilSchentrup) August 14, 2018
Today is 6 months since my daughter was murdered at school. This is not an anniversary for me, this is just another day to wake up and remember what we lost. I am again traveling dealing with what I believe to be the main issue, which is gun violence, this is most definitely
— Fred Guttenberg (@fred_guttenberg) August 14, 2018
And others are posting today about both remembrance and effecting change.
Today marks 6 months since Parkland. What are you doing to #FixIt?
— Kyle Kashuv (@KyleKashuv) August 14, 2018
6 months later and we continue to come together around this country to say #NeverAgain.
No one should feel the pain Parkland feels.
Remember the names and work to stop the pain that this nation continues to feel from gun violence.#MSDStrong pic.twitter.com/3TcTojHxuq
— Matt Deitsch (@MattxRed) August 14, 2018