ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Laughter, consoling pats on the back, and tears were the range of emotions on Friday's memorial service for the five Capital Gazette workers killed one year ago.
Several people gathered in the hot Annapolis sun to show their respect for those that lost their lives and for those that lived the horror of the largest mass shooting against journalists. Andrea Chamblee, the wife of John Mcnamara, shared a thought about her late husband as she wore his old press pass.
"Ifeel like I'm waking up from a nightmare except, I'm finding out the nightmare is really real, and it's still here, and I want to just make sure no other family has to join this terrible club of gun violence victims again," said Chamblee. "The club needs to have it's membership closed."
One of those survivors is Paul Gillespie. He is an award-winning photographer and was in the newsroom that day and watched as five of his fellow journalists were gunned down. As horrible as that was, he never thought for a moment to quit his profession.
"I like telling the stories from the community around here and this is a great area. Everyone has shown so much love over the last year," Gillespie said. "I feel honored to tell these stories and keep doing what I do."
The plaque here at Acton’s Cove Waterfront Park, down by the old hospital, has the name of each of the victims. A bed of roses surround the memorial plaque. Capital Gazette editor, Rick Hutzell, had a suggestion for those who come to see this waterfront park.
"Come here and think about what these five lives meant," Hutzell said. "I am far richer for having known them, and I am far poorer for having lost them."
