Very sad to have read this. This has nothing to do with a small town having issues regarding what happened, it is all about a small town that was very close at one time and lost alot of family and friends on what was to be a joyous day. Unless you were there to experience it, you just would not understand, and to us family members that lost loved ones, it is very hard to speak about it to this day and still hurts to read other peoples assumptions about what happened. And for the ones that say they were close friends, you did not even spell her name right! So like I said people that were affected by it do not and will not talk about it. With the wonderful world wide web, research all you would like, but out of respect to the families, don't post stuff and expect someone to answer you!
~~ WELL SAID!
I was born & raised in Derry. Was at the "incident" and have family & friends that were injured and some that were some of the 1st to respond as firemen & paramedics. It was horrific, there aren't words.. Many wonderful people were killed & maimed. It was awful. The way you describe the "incident" is bits & pieces, you can find many articles on it, as well as a list of those who did not survive. There were about 500 people there, not the 800 stated and far less than "half the town". As far as "Sorry to Read it"'s comment Parece is the correct spelling and her and her best friend, Tammy, were my babysitters. Both were killed. Anyone who needed to talk about what happened had plenty of people to talk to and, with a small close-knit town like Derry, everyone looked out for everyone else. You become "so & so's daughter", etc. Unfortunately, most of the people that lived in Derry at that time are either deceased, moved out & on to another place or still live there and have watched their beloved town being taken over by "outsiders" who brought in a lot of unwanted personalities as many left & rented out their homes. Drug use has intensified all over the US, Derry is tiny so you will sure notice it and with the declining economy there....not much is done to get rid of the problem.
As far as PTSD being the "problem" with Derry....absurd. The people who have been there the entire time have watched a wonderful, amazing, great town to raise a family crumble due to plant closings, the economy, lack of jobs, it's like going back in time visiting my family who is still there. Visit many of the surrounding towns, Brenizer, Bradenville, etc. you'll see the same thing.
It is BEYOND offensive to state an "entire town" is "screwed up" and offer your confused, uninformed diagnosis for why? If you don't like Derry, leave. FYI, the Catholic Church did not want the memorial on site. The Smith & Barchesky families donated church bells (to another church) in honor of Parece & Tammy.
