Memorial service held at Sikh Temple on eve of shooting anniversary

OAK CREEK (WITI) -- At the Sikh Temple of Oak Creek on Sunday, August 4th, on the eve of the anniversary of the Sikh Temple shooting, a memorial service was held to remember the six people who were killed in the shooting, and to praise the community for coming together so remarkably after this tragedy.

A number of speakers were heard inside the Gudwara on Saturday, including lawmakers like Gov. Scott Walker, Oak Creek Mayor Steve Scaffidi and Oak Creek Police Chief John Edwards -- and also, the families of each man and woman killed or injured.

There seemed to be a theme in several of the speeches; that love can overcome hate and ignorance.

"You've shown this community, this state, this country and the world that love can triumph," Gov. Walker said.

"You have shown me such wisdom and patience and kindness and compassion," Scaffidi said.

Retired Oak Creek Police Lt. Brian Murphy, who was shot multiple times after being one of the first to the scene of the Sikh Temple shooting showed his resilience, telling the Gudwara he considers his service to them on August 5th, 2012 a blessing.

"As you can tell, my voice is no longer what it was, but like the other six victims who lost their voice permanently, and mine that has been diminished -- that voice has been replaced by everyone here," Murphy said.

"I think for anyone out there observing it would have been easy to think that the natural response would be to respond in kind with hatred, but instead you showed the power of love," Gov. Walker said.

For the families of those whose loved ones were lost that day, this anniversary is most difficult. They describe their brothers, fathers and mothers in just a few words.

"My mother, Paramjit Kaur, a selfless woman, always putting her husband and sons first before anything.  Who believed education and faith are the greatest values," Kaur's son, Kamal Saini said.

There was also gratitude in the Temple for those who survived, like Santokh Singh. A friend spoke on his behalf. Singh was shot twice, and is still recovering.

The family and speech therapist for Punjab Singh, who was gravely injured in the shooting, also spoke at the event. Singh has spent most of the last year in a coma, and while he cannot speak, we are learning he can communicate with his eyes by blinking, and will soon get a device they hope will allow him to communicate more clearly.

"We want to be known, not for that event. We want to remember the victims and never ever forget them, but what we want to be remembered for is the response and how we dealt with it and how we came together," Edwards said.