Stillwater, OSU Community Seeks Closure After Tragedy

Tuesday's heartfelt ceremony was an opportunity for many to celebrate the survivors and the first responders, and to showcase the strength of Stillwater. 

It was a moment to sit back and remember. Four lives, tragically lost 10 days ago during OSU's homecoming parade. 

"I saw her, and talked to her on the phone everyday," Donna Whitmore said. 

Retired OSU professor Marvin Stone and his wife and longtime OSU employee Bonnie Stone were close friends to Whitmore. 

"Monday morning when I got to work, I picked up the phone to call Bonnie's number just to hear her voice one more time," Whitmore said. "It was very devastating." 

The devastation was still fresh for Whitmore and many others as they tried to find some sense of closure.

11/3/2015 Related Story: #StillwaterStrong Memorial Brings Community Together After Tragedy

"You couldn't believe it, it was just something you couldn't comprehend at the time," she said. 

"It's something that you never forget," Lyle Arnold said. 

Arnold and his wife Margie were about to walk to the parade just a couple of blocks from their home. 

"We could have been a part of that. It's like you couldn't believe it. Did this really happen," Arnold said. 

Tuesday night though, the theme was "Stillwater Strong," which the mayor said means leadership. 

"It's those who sprang into action to calm us, to move us forward, to guide us when we didn't understand," said Stillwater mayor Gina Noble.

"We just hope that it don't happen again. You just pray and hope that it does not happen again," Arnold said. 

As OSU rises from another tragedy.