  One day after throngs filled the streets of cities and towns across Norway honoring the victims of the Oslo bombing and Utøya shootings of 7/22/2011, members of the Puget Sound community gathered at the Nordic Heritage Museum in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood to hold their own vigil. The event, organized by Seattle honorary Norwegian consul, drew a crowd of over 500, filling the museum's auditorium, and spilling outdoors, where attendees followed along with the program via speakers set up outside. The crowd and the several local television stations and newspapers represented were testament to the impact of the bombing and shootings, even half a world away. Those who gathered ranged in age from ten to 90 years old, and represented the Norwegian-American community from across the Puget Sound region, transplanted Norwegians, and other community members. Each had the opportunity to write down their expressions of sorrow and support for the Norwegian people on pages provided, which will be bound and sent to Norway. For many, however, there just weren't words to express their shock, sorrow, and concern for family and friends in Norway, who suddenly felt so far away. |
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