Editor's Note: Normally, we would not cover a story outside of the township unless it involved a Franklin resident. But a trip to south Florida for a family gathering found me about a 20-minute drive from Marjory Stoneman Douglass High School in Parkland, Fl., the scene of last week's horrific mass killing in which a gunman murdered 17 students and faculty. Being a newsman, I felt compelled to visit the site, not intending to do anything more than maybe take a few pictures. But when I arrived and walked around, I was engulfed by the palpable feeling of sadness and grief in the community. I felt that I should share the scenes I was witnessing: the makeshift memorials, the praying, the coming together of Parkland residents and Douglas high school students. I made a series of several live streams, one of which contains a message from a Douglas High School alum to Franklin Township students, and the last of which shows families of the victims painting and decorating crosses that were erected along the front perimeter of the high school. A walk along the perimeter of the high school: https://www.facebook.com/franklinreporter/videos/1424284394349935/ Parkland residents gather at a nearby park. Warning: Strong language; Not Safe For Work. https://www.facebook.com/franklinreporter/videos/1424315711013470/ Bradley Thornton, a 2016 graduate of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, has a message for Franklin Township. https://www.facebook.com/franklinreporter/videos/1424418541003187/ 17 crosses for 17 victims, painted and decorated by family members and erected along the school's front perimeter. https://www.facebook.com/franklinreporter/videos/1424444337667274/ I also took some still photos during the day:
The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
