Sign a sympathy card for shooting victims

Roller-Citizens inviting residents to offer condolences in wake of tragedies in Texas, Ohio

news@theeveningtimes.com

“What can I do?”

Many feelings come to mind in the wake of any tragedy — sadness, anger, fear, frustration — as we watch events unfold on the nightly news or, more and more, across our phone screens and our Facebook feeds.

The recent senseless violence is no different. Less than a week after a gunman killed two and injured even more at a Southhaven, Mississippi Walmart, more deadly mass shootings took place — one in El Paso, Texas, and another in Dayton, Ohio. Both places were much further away, but the sadness, anger, fear and frustration hit close to home.

Even more of those feelings were brought to the surface, coincidentally, when word that one of the shooters in the Jonesboro Westside school shootings two decades ago was killed in a car accident recently.

We’re only about a month away from the 18th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks (yes, it has been that long). So, it would be completely understandable to feel helpless in these days of frustration and divisiveness.

So, what can you do?

Well, a local funeral home is giving folks an outlet for some of their emotion.

As an expression of sympathy to the families of the victims who lost their lives in El Paso and Dayton, Roller-Citizens Funeral Home has set up a register book for Crittenden Countians to sign, to offer condolences or to share words of encouragement for the families of those who lost loved ones in the mass shootings in recent days.

Anyone interested in signing the book can do so by going to Roller-Citizens Funeral Home, 201 Pine St., between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. today and be a part of the healing process for those affected by the tragic violence.

“Come share both your name and words of sympathy and compassion,” invited Roller-Citizens Funeral Home manager Jason Johnston.

Johnston said the books will be sent to the funeral homes that will be conducting the services for the victims in the coming days.