El Centro College Holding "Reflect And Renew Ceremony"
Follow CBSDFW.COM: Facebook | Twitter
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Life is returning to normal in the downtown Dallas area where an ambush attack on police happened nearly three weeks ago. The shooting left five officers dead and 13 more injured.
With so many people still looking for healing a school at the center of the deadly shooting is taking a step to help.
The shattered glass has been replaced, the halls are clean, and El Centro College is once again open for learning. Students, faculty and staff have been back on the campus for about a week. But part of moving forward, for students and the community, is fixing the hurt that can't be seen.
Saying that it's an opportunity to "heal, reflect and look to the future" a very special ceremony will be held on the El Centro campus today.
The entire campus and the community will come together for the El Centro Strong: Reflect and Renew Ceremony.
On the night of July 7 many found themselves trapped on lockdown at El Centro as the shooter ran inside. Those at the school were caught in the middle of the worst attack on police since 9/11. It was traumatic for everyone and after 20 days the ceremony is a step toward closure.
College administrators, police and city leaders will gather at the El Centro Performance Hall, at 801 Main Street, for the 1 p.m. ceremony. Afternoon event will include a presentation of flags by the Dallas Police Department Color Guard, an innovation, words of comfort and encouragement from various speakers and a video tribute.
These last weeks the phrase Dallas Strong has been used to bring people together. But on this Dallas County Community College District campus the mantra is El Centro Strong. Many students on the campus were wearing t-shirts bearing the statement on Wednesday.
Student Emely Luna is looking forward to the ceremony. "I think that's great," she said. "I think that's what we need, just to come together and honor these great people who put their lives at risk every day.
Flags in front of the campus had been at half-staff since the shootings and the outside light color had been changed to blue.
Student Rachaud Smith thinks today's ceremony will continue the process of healing. "I think it will be helpful to move forward in the wake of what happened. I see they already put the flags up [and] they changed the light back to green on the building. [Today will help us] move forward as a city after what happened."
(©2016 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
