Violent death in paradise
Tonight while watching Charlie Gibson anchor ABC's world news tonight from Nickel Mines, PA many memories came back from almost thirty years ago. Nickel Mines is the location of the Amish School where a horribly unbalanced man entered the school, took grade school age female hostages and then, when confronted by police, killed or wounded most of them.
It was in this area, Lancaster County, where the portions of a television mini-series called Centennial were shot. It was my privilege to work on various locations of that series and Lancaster County was one of those. The scenes that brought Levi and Elly Zendt into the story and on their way to to Colorado were shot there.
While shooting in the area the company employed many Amish, both as technical consultants and as extras. It struck me how gentle and kind these people were. They are the kind of people that make you unconsciously check your language at the door. Those of you that know me will know that's not an easy trick for me.
With no TV or Radio, limited outside contact and news, we are talking about a people who are only vaguely aware of the evils that surround them. Alas, a demon got loose among the innocent. He tore the life from five children so far and gravely wounded several others.
**sighs sadly**
The most impressive thing was to listen to the Amish who spoke on camera. They did something I have neither the courage nor the will for. All of them openly forgave the killer and most said they are praying for him and his family.
Now that is not only a kind and gentle people, they are one very tough people as well. They have my undying respect.
The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.
- Mohandas Gandhi
It was in this area, Lancaster County, where the portions of a television mini-series called Centennial were shot. It was my privilege to work on various locations of that series and Lancaster County was one of those. The scenes that brought Levi and Elly Zendt into the story and on their way to to Colorado were shot there.
While shooting in the area the company employed many Amish, both as technical consultants and as extras. It struck me how gentle and kind these people were. They are the kind of people that make you unconsciously check your language at the door. Those of you that know me will know that's not an easy trick for me.
With no TV or Radio, limited outside contact and news, we are talking about a people who are only vaguely aware of the evils that surround them. Alas, a demon got loose among the innocent. He tore the life from five children so far and gravely wounded several others.
**sighs sadly**
The most impressive thing was to listen to the Amish who spoke on camera. They did something I have neither the courage nor the will for. All of them openly forgave the killer and most said they are praying for him and his family.
Now that is not only a kind and gentle people, they are one very tough people as well. They have my undying respect.
The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.
- Mohandas Gandhi