Happy Valentines Day. This is episode 13 and today is a special day. It’s more than just a day in which we run out at the last minute to buy flowers, a card, and a gourmet box of chocolates for that special person in our lives. It is also a day of reflection.
Today, for many people in South Florida, Valentine’s Day 2024 is the 6th anniversary of the Parkland mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. On this day, 6 years ago, while teenagers were exchanging Valentine’s Day cards and giving flowers to their loved ones, a 19-year old former student arrived at the school in an Uber around 2:19 PM, armed with a legally-purchased AR-15 semi-automatic rifle. According to reports, the attack lasted less than four minutes, leaving 17 dead and 17 injured.
One incredible person and non-profit organization that is making a great difference to help prevent adverse outcomes like suicide and violence in schools is Mr. Scott LoMurray. He is the CEO of Sources of Strength – an organization that provides evidence-based training for youth and adults to promote mental health and prevent adverse outcomes like suicide, violence, bullying, and substance misuse.