The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday marked the one-year anniversary of the tragic events that took place at Great Mills High School on March 20, 2018.
Led by the Sheriff’s Office Chaplain Corps, a service of reflection and prayer was held at the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #7 in Great Mills, followed by a procession to the Great Mills High School campus.
There, Deputy First Class Blaine Gaskill, School Resource Officer for Great Mills High School, and Melissa and Daniel Willey placed flowers at the rock garden in front of the school to honor and remember 16-year-old Jaelynn Rose Willey, who lost her life in the school shooting a year ago, which also left 14-year-old Desmond Barnes injured.
At the remembrance ceremony, Father John Ball said, “We also remember the students, faculty and staff of Great Mills High School and all St. Mary’s County public and private schools. We pray for all who have suffered from acts of violence, both here and throughout the world, and for all whose needs are known to you alone.”
“We give thanks and pray for the men and women of law enforcement who protect and serve our community, for first responders, especially for those who serve in the St. Mary’s County fire and rescue squads,” he said.
“Give us a love stronger than hate and a peace stronger than violence. May peace flow through our community like the waters which frame St. Mary’s County. Help us rise above the hatred that wrought such violence our community suffered,” he said.
