On Wednesday, yet another MSU student was killed in a sudden car crash. That night, as his friends and co-workers were informed of his untimely death, they gathered at the rock on Farm Lane for an impromptu vigil in his honor.
Friends were consoled, candles were lit, stories were shared and the rock was painted to honor his memory. Several mourners went to the local 7-11 to get one last Slurpee for their friend. When the mourners left the site, one last candle was left burning on the top of the rock.
However, by Thursday morning the memorial to Josh Parks had been painted over. Instead, the Theta Chi emblem was splashed over the front. While I understand that the rock is a public space and an iconic landmark in MSU’s history, I found it disgraceful and insulting that a memorial to a former classmate was so callously covered less than 24 hours after his death.
I knew Josh, yet the shock and anger I felt Thursday morning as I passed by the rock paled in comparison to the reaction his close friends must have felt when they found out.
Memorials are meant to help those left behind; the loss they are feeling is so deep that it should and must be respected. This person they knew and loved is gone forever. Painting the rock for Josh was for him, but it was also for his friends to grieve and begin the slow and painful healing process that follows such a tragic incident.
Another memorial to Josh Parks and his impact on his fellow classmates was on the rock this weekend. I hope this one stayed for a more respectful amount of time.
Megan Hazzard
psychology senior
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