Here in our communities and homes across America, we’ve been shaken to our cores with the multitude of mass shootings, crimes that have killed our fellow citizens, neighbors, and loved ones. Recently, two heinous incidents of domestic terror took place over the weekend of August 3-4 in areas that have particularly hit home for WACA: El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, where the World Affairs Council of El Paso–North American Borderplex and the Dayton Council on World Affairs (DCOWA) are based.
When these tragedies occur, they profoundly affect not only the local communities but all of us, ripping apart the fabric of our country. The World Affairs Councils of America stands by WAC El Paso and DCOWA, and each of you, as we convey our national voice in support, empathy, nonpartisan guiding light, and hope. Below, we share messages from the leaders of DCOWA and WAC El Paso, and a full list of those who died in the hateful calamities. May we acknowledge the pain and the need for healing.
DCOWA Message
We, the Board of the Dayton Council on World Affairs, grieve with the rest of Dayton and the country over the mass shooting that killed nine and injured 27 others in Dayton’s Oregon District early August 4. We are grateful for the rapid response of Dayton police that prevented more loss of life, and we are grateful for the support offered by the World Affairs Councils of America, and others at home and abroad, who have reached out to us in sympathy.
On behalf of the Board of the Dayton Council on World Affairs,
Dr. Vaughn Shannon
President, DCOWA
Message from Martha Vera, President of WAC El Paso
El Paso's saddest day was August 3, 2019. Our friends and neighbors were all affected by this hideous crime of hate. May we always remember these beautiful souls:
El Paso
Andre Pablo Anchondo, 23
Jordan Anchondo, 24
Arturo Benavides, 60
Leonard Cipeda Campos, 41
Angelina Englisbee, 86
Maria Flores, 77
Raul Flores, 77
Jorge Calvillo García, 61
Adolfo Cerros Hernández, 68
Maribel Hernandez, 56
Alexander Gerhard Hoffman, 66
David Alvah Johnson, 63
Luis Alfonzo Juarez, 90
Maria Eugenia Legarreta, 58
Ivan Manzano, 46
Gloria Irma Márquez, 61
Elsa Mendoza de la Mora; 57
Margie Reckard, 63
Sara Esther Regaldo, 66
Javier Rodriguez, 15
Teresa Sanchez, 82
Juan de Dios Velázquez, 77
Dayton
Megan Betts, 22
Monica Brickhouse, 39
Nicholas Cumer, 25
Derrick Fudge, 57
Thomas McNichols, 25
Lois Oglesby, 27
Saeed Saleh, 38
Logan Turner, 30
Beatrice (Nicole) Warren-Curtis, 36
