Sikh Temple Vigil Begins Healing

By Jonathon Gregg

CREATED Aug. 7, 2012

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  • Prayer and music began the night. Hundreds of people, filling this modest temple, Sikh members exposing a large but "aching" heart. Video by nbc26.com

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  • Jhalman Singh of Oak Creek (second from right) hides tears as he listens during a news conference Monday to a moving story about the president of the Sikh Temple who died trying to stave off the gunman. Image by Rick Wood

Menasha-- The Oak Creek temple shooting has been a devastating event for members of Menasha's Sikh temple. Many members are "very"close friends with the victims of Oak Creek. Tonight's vigil was a chance to grieve, but also a moment for all people, to come together and begin healing.

 

Prayer and music began the night. Hundreds of people, filling this modest temple, Sikh members exposing a large but "aching" heart.

" We need help from everybody. This is most important thing. We are begging right now." "Sympathy," is what Menasha temple priest, Bhagwant Balli says, the Oak Creek victims need. Balli has spent the last two days in Oak Creek, grieving, he returned to Menasha to do the same but also to begin healing. "You guys bring a lot of sympathy to us, that way we can heal better,"  said Balli.

Speaking tonight, Appleton's mayor Tim Hanna chose the words of Martin Luther King Jr.,  "Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can drive out hate. "We love you all."

The most emotional moment Tuesday evening was when two members of the Oak Creek temple spoke, their uncle, killed by the gunman, yet tonight, finding some good out of a terrible, tragedy. "If this can prevent further killing, then the people who have given their lives. It's well worth it," the temple member said.

Menasha temple members are now collecting money to aid the victims and families affected by the Oak Creek shooting.