“We cannot let a senseless tragedy as this divide us,” said assistant to county manager, Bonnie Huntley, “but rather we need to come together to form a united front.”
Residents from Anson County and surrounding counties joined hundreds of other counties, cities, states and countries in remembering those who were killed in the Orlando shooting. A courtroom in Anson County’s Courthouse was packed full last Wednesday night to listen to speakers from county and city officials, to reverends, ministers, pastors and residents.
“We all look different, we have different preferences, different styles, different opinions, different strengths, different weaknesses, different ideas and on and on. Each of us is unique, each of us is important and each person is equal to another,” said Commissioner Anna Baucom. “Let us pray for America, pray for Anson County, and pray for each other.”
Wadesboro Police Chief Thedis Spencer said to be in prayer not only for the victims and survivors, but to also, “be in prayer for the EMS workers, and medical doctors that had to experience this tragedy first-hand and the different law enforcement agencies that had to deal with this tragedy.”
A poem by Mother Teresa was read by Clerk of Superior Court Anson County Mark Hammond: “Life is an opportunity, benefit from it. Life is beauty, admire it, Life is a dream realize it, Life is a challenge meet it, Life is duty complete it, Life is a promise fulfill it, Life is sorrow over come it, Life is a song sing it, Life is a struggle accept it, Life is a tragedy confront it, Life is an adventure dare it, Life is too precious do not destroy it, Life is life fight for it.”
A candlelight vigil was held that night in honor of those that were killed, while Glen Cauldle rang a hand bell 49 times — one ring for each victim.
“I bleed red, you bleed red. I cry the same tears and I’m thankful that together we can unite and let the world know and let the real enemy know that we ain’t going nowhere,” said Pastor Steve Adams. “We’re going to stand our ground, we’re going to be together and God is going to see this through.”
Tracey Brewer is a freelance correspondent for The Anson Record.
