By PAUL BROWN

Publisher, Marysville Globe-Arlington Times

To quote President Franklin D. Roosevelt, this is “a day that will live in infamy”. Not only in Marysville but throughout the world.

I happened to be at our sister publication, The Daily Herald. As I was passing through the newsroom, I noticed several reporters and managers standing before a television with expressions of absolute stun and shock on their faces. As I approached, I heard the words “multiple victims in a shooting at Marysville Pilchuck High School in Marysville, Washington”. I froze. Did I hear correctly? I called my editor, Steve Powell, and asked if he learned of the event. Actually, I was still reeling in disbelief and needed confirmation that what I heard was true. Steve’s response was “yes, we’re on it, boss”. Steve was already updating The Marysville Globe and The Arlington Times websites as we spoke.

I contacted the Sound Publishing press while enroute to our Marysville office to have the press stopped for changes that our readers would certainly expect to read that weekend. They stopped the press, rearranged their tight schedule

and provided my newsroom with an extended deadline in order to publish the events as we knew them at the time.

Upon arrival at The Globe and The Times office, a flurry of activity was in full swing. Our reporter, Kirk, was at the church where parents were picking up children and sports reporter Brandon Adam was on his way in from his scheduled time off. Steve was feverishly updating The Globe and The Times websites with updates as they became available. Assistant Nancy Anderson was monitoring news sources and feeding updates to Steve.

I ordered pizza for the crew and dove into the melee. It was going to be a long night and a long weekend. All the while, every one of the staff members continued performing their duties while, at the same time, dealing with their own emotions. I never ever doubted the professionalism of my team. But to see them in action was a moment of true inspiration.

Our sister publication, The Daily Herald, called to offer help. With their team of reporters and photographers combined with my team, we continued working in tandem to constantly update the websites so you, our readers, would have the most current and relevant information as it was received by us. Steve worked off and on all weekend, day and night, to keep the information digitally flowing.

I attended the vigil at Grove Church that Friday. I felt compelled to be there. Not as a publisher but as a spiritual person experiencing emotional pain. I wanted to be with others in our community who were hurting as was I. While sitting, waiting for the service to begin, I noticed a bible in the chair in front of me. I reached for it and readily found and read my favorite verse, the 23rd Psalm.

Someone then accidentally bumped me from behind. I turned to her and noticed her make-up was running from her tears. Instinctively, she extended her arms and gave me a long hug. And I returned her hug. This lady and I had never met before. But that didn’t matter. We were both needing the love and compassion from another human being. I received and gave many other hugs from young and elderly people alike that evening. And I began to feel the comfort that night that could only come from other people. Though I didn’t know most of the people there, we all came together in a way that was in the spirit of true brotherhood. That evening was a reaffirmation of my faith in God and my fellow human beings.

I’m grieving for the loss of our children, Zoe and Gia. I am praying for their families and friends as well. I pray for Andrew, Nate and Shaylee and their families and friends. Though their lives will never be the same, I believe the Lord has a new and powerful direction in life for them. And I am praying for the family of Jaylen. I do not believe he was “bad or evil” at all. I believe he did an immature act for whatever reason we will never know.

This week, our community came together again in unison to dedicate our resolve – that fear and uncertainty will not rule our lives. The gathering at Comeford Park to “Paint The Town” is just the start of the demonstration to the world that Marysville will not be beaten. Red and white ribbons abound our streets, homes and businesses. Little petty irritants that sometimes invade our lives seem so trivial now. Why? Because I believe that we are more aware that we are all living, breathing and fallible human beings. I have learned many lessons this past week. And I am privileged to be just a small part of a great community that is united to pull together and help each other heal from this great tragedy.

I do not doubt that this healing process will be long and arduous. It will be. For some, it may never come. But as a community, we have taken the first steps toward recovery. May God bless all the people who call Marysville home. And may God bless all the students, teachers, staff and alumni of MPHS.