Teens hope to save shrine

Photo: A message left at the monument for Julian Martinez, 16, one of the four teens killed.

[come on]

It's time to truly let go now people. I'm sure the tragic victims of this horrible crime would want everyone to move on with their lives and focus on a bright and positive future.

[Lifetime Local]

Although I feel for these teens and their families, vandalism is not acceptable. The descanso or shine to the dead is traditionally placed at the place where they died. As a contributor to this shrine, I ask the teens to have respect for the community and not deface it!

[Everyone]

...who wants it left up should pitch in to commission an artist to do some sort of a sculpture. Surely there are enough parents, friends and relatives to come up with enough money to do this. I personally don't think it should be an expense of the city. Or perhaps the governor should pay for it out of his own pocket since he is indirectly responsible for the continuing DWI problem in this city and state.

[Peskime]

Lifetime Local wrote:

Although I feel for these teens and their families, vandalism is not acceptable. The descanso or shine to the dead is traditionally placed at the place where they died. As a contributor to this shrine, I ask the teens to have respect for the community and not deface it!

I understand that you are being culturally sensitive but I think these kids are expressing their grief the best way they know how. A little tolerance and compassion will go a long way to help those who lost loved ones.

[let go]

Those that died have moved on to a better place, so must we begin to heal... letting go of the shrine is only the first step to the healing process.
We also have to think of those who worked so hard to raise that monument, it is not fair to them to deface it, no matter what the message is. Take the shrine and move it to a place that is theirs, not one that will always hold controversy.

[That One]

Cathederal park is a public park, not a personal shrine to memorialize a tragic event. And vandalism is vandalism, no excuses. It's a shame that the memories of such wonderful souls would be tarnished by the thoughtless acts of one or two individuals who had NO concern for anyone else but themselves when they chose to vandalized such a beautiful public space.

[Diana]

We all lose precious loved ones in our lives, some
lose babies, dying tragic lives to cancer and didn't spend much time in life. There is no excuse
to start writing on public shrines, no matter what.
I know it is grief, however, please don't destroy
something else that is significant to others who
placed the shrine. Grafetti and writing on walls
etc is such poor taste. Set something up for these
deceased teens and let the original shrine stand alone.

[Rancho de T]

The better of memorials is to create a college scholarship on behalf of those deceased. Ask local business to contribute, with respect to their memories. Only a suggestion.

[I Agree]

A college scholarship would be a much better way to memorialize these individuals. I understand mourning and paying your respects, but anytime you start writing on public property this becomes vandalism. Leave notes, but don't deface something that means so much to so many.

[Granny]

What a wonderful idea! I would most definitely contribute to a scholarship on behalf of these young people.
My heart goes out to their young friends and families. All of you are in my prayers.

[Gloria Mendoza]

Lifetime Local wrote:

Although I feel for these teens and their families, vandalism is not acceptable. The descanso or shine to the dead is traditionally placed at the place where they died. As a contributor to this shrine, I ask the teens to have respect for the community and not deface it!

This community is mourning the loss of these teens and am sure that prayers and thoughts to all victims, families and friends are in everyone's mind right now and for their healing. However, the destructive expression at a public park which was a symbol of the cultures in this town is unacceptable. The students/friends of the victims who profess to be environmentally conscious have proven the opposite. The defacing of this park was uncalled for. Yes, expressing oneself is part of the healing process but they could have written notes on a piece of paper instead of the benches and the memorial which is already in place. I say, get these same teens to clean it up and show how environmentally committed they are. What a shame! Our taxpayer money should not be spent on cleaning up their messes.

[i really]

Lifetime Local wrote:

Although I feel for these teens and their families, vandalism is not acceptable. The descanso or shine to the dead is traditionally placed at the place where they died. As a contributor to this shrine, I ask the teens to have respect for the community and not deface it!

don't think this should be the city's expense. why is the city not snapping to this? I realize the tragedy, but that still deosn't mean the city should pick up the tab? The same way the family and friends gathered to make the shrine, i think they should gather to take it down. I don't know if the city can change their mind, i don't see why not, and tell whoever it is they told they would clean it up that they can't do that anymore. come people think. Did the mayor approve the city to pay for the clean up? and if so why? did the Director of Waste Management approve the expense? Why did you do that?

[i agree]

let go wrote:

Those that died have moved on to a better place, so must we begin to heal... letting go of the shrine is only the first step to the healing process.
We also have to think of those who worked so hard to raise that monument, it is not fair to them to deface it, no matter what the message is. Take the shrine and move it to a place that is theirs, not one that will always hold controversy.

The family and friends should take the shrine and move it to a place that is theirs. But..... family and friends should do it not the city. the city should not have to pay for this expense.

[Santa Fe Resident]

In the days since the deaths, the shrine has grown to include empty packs of cigarettes, the bottom part of a bikini bathing suit, tampons, cigarette butts, notes, photos, shirts, lighters, candles, water bottles, hacky sacks, razors and numerous other items. A row of tiny Tibetan prayer flags is tied around the legs of some of bronze figures. Others now wear Mardi-Gras beads. One sports a Viking helmet.

This is not what you leave at a memorial.
It littering and vandelisum. The Friends and family of the victims need to clean it up.

[common sense]

Everyone has an opinion valid or not, but knowing the family you have NO idea the tremendous grief and shock EVERYONE is still in.

Give these people all the time they need for Gods sake.

This is Up close & personal we need to ALL pull together & help people grieve, for as long as they need. Please show your compassion.

[Santa Fe Resident]

I agree that the family has to grieve, but what kind of people place bikini bottoms, tampons, cigarette butts, and other non relavant items on a public statue that was there to momoralize other figures important in the formation of New Mexico?

[Joe Schmoe]

I agree that people should be allowed to mourn, but marking on the statue isn't right. Vandalism is vandalism, and it should be cleaned up. HOWEVER, there should be consideration to make a shrine elsewhere, perhaps at the crash site.

[Perea]

I know that people put up these memorials, usually at the place where the person died. Not everyone wants to see these things, I know that I would not appreciate seeing a tampon as part of a memorial to anybody. Make a memorial for the dead people at their own houses or on their own property not in a public place. There was a lot of money spent on the park and to have it written on, even for a memorial is vandalizing and graffiti. I do not want to go to cathedral park and see such a memorial. I also would not put up with somebody putting up a memorial on my property even if a person died on my property, whether it was my fault or not. Take these memorials to your own homes or property, public property is not the right place for these memorials. You don't need a memorial to remember people because if you carry their memory then they aren't really gone, they are always with you.

[ironic]

that alcohol is the solvent that you use to remove sharpie markings.

[Ronald Roybal]

The best act any one of these young folks could perform in memory of their friends is to vow never to drink and drive and never to allow their friends to drink and drive. They should visit middle schools and proclaim the message. Leaving this stuff in the park and vandalizing property does not do justice to the memory of their departed friends. Vowing to never drink and drive and spreading the message does!