On February 20, 2016, a random and violent tragedy struck Kalamazoo, Michigan, when a man went on a shooting spree. Six lives were lost, two people were seriously injured and our communities were changed forever.

And then on June 7, 2016, another senseless tragedy struck the Kalamazoo community. Nine bicyclists were struck down by a pickup truck driver. Five of the cyclists were killed, four suffered serious injuries, and our community was again shocked with grief, pain and tragedy.

To preserve the legacies of the lives taken and forever changed and give our community a special place to come together, reflect, remember and heal, a memorial, consisting of several unique sections, will be developed. The ForeverStrong Memorial will pay tribute to each of the victims and survivors, and symbolizes the notion that – though our collective conscience has been shattered – darkness will not win.