By Gary Ogle
gogle@wbcowqel.com
This has been a week to forget in Bucyrus. But without question, it will be one we remember for a long time, if not the rest of our lives.
Memories seem to change the facts over time, or at least what we perceive as facts. I wonder exactly what it is we will remember from this week.
Will it be that these four murders might represent the worst and most violent crime in the history of Bucyrus or Crawford County? Will it be who was accused and all the rumors and supposition that surrounds him?
Will it be who is convicted of that crime, whoever and whenever that might be? If someone is convicted all, what will we remember from the trial? What facts will be etched in our memories and what things will be altered with time?
Will we remember how the news media from across the major markets in Ohio descended upon this community we like to see as idyllic to report on these horrors? Will it be the reporters’ names or questions? Will it be the images of neighbors, friends and others in pictures or video?
Will it be the names of prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges and investigators?
What stirs my conscience is wondering how long we will remember the names of the victims – Billy Jack Chatman, Freelin Hensley, Gerald Lee Smith and Darrell Lewis. Will we remember more than their names?
If so will we remember that they were by all accounts in a position in life that left them vulnerable for whatever reason and that someone, for whatever reason, took advantage of that vulnerability?
Will it stick with us that they left this life too soon and not of their choosing? Will we remember that they left behind broken hearts, unrealized dreams and opportunities to make more memories with friends and family that now can never be made?
Just what is it we will remember from this week?
Will we remember that this town no longer seemed like a safe place to leave doors unlocked and loved ones alone? Will we remember to check in on those vulnerable loved ones just a little more often or to stop by for an unannounced visit just because we wanted to?
Will we remember to take advantage of every moment, every opportunity we can to make each time spent with them count for something?
Will we remember the victims’ families, their pain, their grief? Will we remember to drop them a card or make a phone call to see how they are doing and to tell them we care?
I wonder, when this is all behind us, just what it is we will remember?