By Greg Walsh,
Managing Editor
Somer Renee Thompson has done it.
She has energized us. She has awoken the community in a way that only a tragedy like this can do.
A 7-year-old girl snatched from the street in broad daylight? This can't happen here!
Come on Orange Park and Clay County, speak up, cry out, get mad. Use whatever emotion that comes from this terrible event and turn it into a positive.
Hand out posters, make phone calls, reach out to others in the community, the school, anybody and tell them you want to help.
It's time to get up, get off the couch and do something about it.
The Sheriff's Office says it needs volunteers to search areas where Somer might be. Be there. Join hands with you neighbors and fellow citizens and build a wall off hope that will reach out and find this little girl. A wall that says, "We won't let this stand. This is where we draw the line."
There's an positive energy flowing out there.
We've seen these stories so many times before all over the country. The names of the victims and the families change, but the pain and the grief and the torment are so similar.
Well now it is here. Right here in Orange Park. And it's our turn to respond.
Do you need motivation? Do you need an image or sound to think of to get you moving?
Think of her mother's desperate, agonizing cries at the candlelight vigil Tuesday night and again Wednesday morning.
Think of her grandmother's painful pleas to bring Somer home.
Think of Somer’s twin who is lost without her.
Think of the dozens police officers searching for her overnight in the woods and along streams and ponds.
Think of the Grove Park Elementary students who know Somer and wait for her to come back to class.
Think of her little friends who wrote the letter to Somer telling she was missed and they want her home.
Think of the people bringing food to the family.
Think of how cold it got the last couple of nights.
Think of your own kids and how crazy you would be if one of them just vanished.
Think of that little girl’s silly, innocent smile and the two fingers sticking out from behind her head like a couple of Indian feathers.
We can't let this stand in this community. If someone did take this little girl we need to show a response that will stun them, overwhelm them, with a fear and presence that will force them to bring her back safely. Don't even think about taking her away from her home and friends. We're not going to let it happen.
Get up Orange Park. Get up Clay County. Get up dammit and show that you care! This isn’t just a police matter. It’s a community matter. One of our own is in danger and being harmed.
Walk as far and as long through as many trees and streams and ditches and ponds as you must. But find that little girl. She is one of us.
October 21st 2009 - 2:45PM