The Milwaukee Post

6 • Milwaukee Post • August 9, 2013 Gone, but not forgotten Hundreds participate in run-walk to honor victims of last year's Sikh Temple shooting By DAVE FIDLIN Special to The Post OAK CREEK – Amid the backdrop of a bright, sunny and blue-skied day hundreds , of people of all ethnicities and religious backgrounds came together Saturday in an event designed to bring light out of the darkness that occurred a year ago. There was an abundance of laughter, cheering and, as warranted, hugs and tears during the Chardhi Kala 6k Run/Walk, an event designed to pay homage to the six parishioners who lost their lives in last year's Sikh Temple shooting. Cudahy resident Wade Michael Page fatally shot six people and wounded four others as he stormed into the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, 7512 S. Howell Ave., before taking his own life Aug. 5, 2012. Page was considered a white supremacist, and his actions were deemed a hate crime that specifically targeted a group of people. But the hatred exhibited on that tragic day was powerfully muted Saturday during the strong exhibition of unity . In addition to the run-walk, there were a number of festivities during Chardhi Kala, including childrens' games, musical entertainment and a variety of speakers. In Punjabi, the native tongue spoken by many of the members of the temple, "chardhi kala" is translated into "positive attitude." Oak Creek was placed in the national spotlight last year – alongside Aurora, Colo., and Newtown, Conn. – as gun laws were debated and mass tragedies grabbed headlines. It is an unfortunate bond, but the people of Oak Creek have close ties to Newtown and Aurora because of the events that have put a dark spot on each community's history . Robbie Parker, who lost his 6-year-old daughter, Emile, in the Newtown school shooting in December, was among the speakers at Saturday's event. Parker said the love and support have helped him and his wife, Alissa, cope through the deep tragedy . "In the darkest time of my life, when I was in the most horrible abyss and could see no light, I was surrounded by the outpouring of love from people all across the world," Parker said. See SIKH on Page 7 Photos by Robert F. Borkowski/Special to The Post Left: Participants take off for the first "Turning Tragedy into Triumph" Chardhi Kala 6K Memorial Run/Walk at Oak Creek High School on Saturday. The runwalk was part of a weekend of events marking the one-year anniversary of the 2012 Sikh Temple of Wisconsin shooting in Oak Creek. After opening remarks by invited guests and surviving family members, the run-walk began on the Oak Creek High School track and continued to the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin and returned to the high school track for its conclusion. Right: Retired Oak Creek Police officer Brian Murphy addresses the crowd at the first "Turning Tragedy into Triumph" Chardhi Kala 6K Run/Walk held at Oak Creek High School on Saturday. Murphy was one of the first responders and severely wounded by the shooter at the temple. Photo by Robert F. Borkowski/Special to The Post Left: Major Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi speaks to the gathering before the start of the first "Turning Tragedy into Triumph" Chardhi Kala 6K Run/Walk. Right: Photos and information about the victims of the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin shooting were displayed for all to view before the start of the "Turning Tragedy into Triumph" Chardhi Kala 6K Run/Walk.

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