Parkland Shooting Victims Honored On Second Anniversary

PARKLAND, FL — The electronic sign outside Marjory Stoneman Douglas read "Day of Service and Love — Feb. 14th"on Friday as the school remembered the 17 students and faculty who were taken in a cowardly act by a lone gunman two years to the day.

For many, the anniversary of the attack brought back painful memories as the community paused for a moment of silence in the morning and again at 2:21 p.m. to mark the time the gunman opened fire.

"It's two years, too soon for my daughter, Alyssa, who was tragically taken on Feb. 14 and I just wish I had her back," Parkland Mother Lori Alhadeff, who now sits on the Broward County School Board, told WPLG-TV.

The Valentine's Day shooting has reshaped education in America and placed a heightened focus on school safety as the memories of the slain Stoneman Douglas Students and faculty members continue to haunt school administrators, law enforcement agencies and elected officials across the nation.

The Marjory Stoneman Douglas school website posted guidance for parents on how to speak with their children about the tragedy as the anniversary approached.

"Many children and adults are still having reactions to the tragedy that happened almost two years ago. They may appear to be 'back to normal' but still at times be feeling sad, scared, anxious or angry," the guidance said.

The guidance also cautioned parents to look for signs their children may still be having difficulty, including sadness or depressed or irritable mood; anxiety or fears; problems with attention or new or worsening academic difficulties; changes in behavior; social isolation or withdrawal from friends or activities; changes in appetite or sleep; physical complaints, immature actiosn; having trouble getting along with friends or family members and risky behaviors.

"Children may not tell their parents or other adults that they have times when they are feeling upset or worried because they are embarrassed about these feelings or do not want to upset their parents," the guidance said.

Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony, who attended a breakfast with students on Friday, told reporters the day was emotional for law enforcement officers.

A 446-page report by the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission released last year was critical of the Broward County sheriff's deputies who failed to confront the shooter and of then Broward Sheriff Scott Israel, whose office did not at the time have a policy requiring them to rush the three-story freshman building where the shooting happened.

The Broward Sheriff's Office was later stripped of its law enforcement accreditation over the school shooting as well as an earlier mass shooting at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

"It was difficult to come in and see all of these young folks giving us applause and saying 'thank you for our services,' understanding that not too long ago, we came up short," Tony said.