Aurora Colorado. Uniting the People in the Wake of Unspeakable Tragedy.

The Magic of the Movies

I have always loved going to the movies. The sounds, the large screen, the stories, the action, or the drama, the experience you share with friends or in a room full of strangers, movies always tell a story. I have laughed, I’ve cried, I’ve jumped back in surprise and sometimes, I’ve even fallen asleep. However, on July 20th, 2012 at the Century 16 Theater in Aurora Colorado, 12 people would lose their lives, and none of us would ever be the same again.

During that year, I was stationed at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora Colorado as a Chief Petty Officer running a watch-floor crew. Rotating shifts were tough, and I had been on rotation for two years now. With rotation, military on the watch-floor would find activities to engage in that were around their shift hours. One of the popular activities was attending midnight movie premiers. The new Batman movie was set to be released and everyone at work was excited about it, since the previous two movies were met with rave reviews.

This Was No Gang

Thursday evening, I was at a bar having a few drinks with friends when we seen numerous Aurora Police Department vehicles racing down the street, lights on, sirens blaring, driving fast. If you lived in Aurora like I did, this was not something unseen. You were used to it. Police were usually active. Friday morning, I am up early because I am to assume duties as the Command Duty Officer (CDO) from Friday morning until Monday morning. Being the CDO meant you were on call all weekend in case anything happened to a Sailor, or in case of any emergencies. You reported directly to the Commanding Officer and always kept a cell phone on you. The duty is typically quiet, with the worst being DUIs, or domestic disputes. I scroll through my Facebook feed during morning coffee and start seeing friends posting that they are okay. It struck me as odd, so I turned on the television and seen that there had been a shooting at the Century 16 Theater which is only a few miles from where I live. My first thought was gang-related since that area was a known area gang members frequent. Then I seen the numbers: 12 believed dead, 71 injured. This was no gang.

Right away I remembered that many of our personnel from the rotating shifts were planning on attending that premier and the feeling of dread consumed me. It was time to assume my duties, I knew this would not be a typical weekend for a CDO. Just happened that this was the first time I was standing this watch. I meet with the Command Master Chief as instructed and the look on his face is one of despair. He informs me that command recall has been initiated and we are missing a Sailor. One of my Sailors from the watch-floor. The sense of dread had increased.

Gateway High School. First Responders and the Faces of Tragedy

Aurora first responders had set up a center at Gateway High School for families of the unaccounted for to gather, and where the police and first responders would congregate and hold press briefings. My orders were to report there in uniform, talk to the officer in charge and let them know about our missing Sailor and that I was to be informed immediately when they identified the victims. When I arrived, a young woman ran up to me, distraught, she wrapped around me, sobbing heavily into my chest. I did not know what to do or say, so I said nothing. I just let her hug me for as long as she needed. There was nothing I could say. Nothing that would bring her brother back.

I reported to the officer in charge and walked around the school trying to remain intact. I was worried about my Sailor, I was worried about everyone, but I could not show it. I was not there to be emotional. I was there representing Navy Information Operations Command because we were missing one of our own, and if that meant I had to be almost robot like with emotion, then so be it. I talked to a police officer standing guard at the entrance who was visibly shaken. He could not contain his emotions as he talked about arriving on scene at the shooting with what he saw. 15 years on the force and he had never seen such carnage. His eyes welled up as he talked about having to load victims into police cars and take them to emergency rooms because there just were not enough ambulances. Families had gathered and were just holding each other. Many news stations had shown up to the school to cover this tragedy, but respectfully kept their distance off in the parking lot. Local businesses in the Aurora community had begun coming to the school to drop off water and food for all the first responders and families.

I checked in with senior leadership every 30 minutes as they desperately wanted updates. They were in a dire situation and families were already calling them, but I had nothing. No updates. Just speculation. This was no time to speculate. Sometimes my phone would ring, and even though I would mistake it for another update request, it was fellow Chiefs who wanted to know if I was okay. We were all well acquainted and knew each other’s Sailors. They knew that the missing Sailor was one of mine and this was my first time as a CDO. I told them I am holding it together, and I am not worried about myself at all. I have a feeling that our missing Sailor did not make it, and I have never wanted to be more wrong in my life.

Sailors from the command, the missing Sailor’s friends had shown up to the high school. They had been checking hospitals and police stations and did not locate him. Only essential personnel were allowed in the high school, but I authorized them to enter for a little while and join in the prayer groups. This was a move that leadership did not approve of, but I was okay with getting scolded for it. I did not know what else to tell them.

I arrived at Gateway High School at 830am. By 9pm it had been confirmed. Petty Officer John Larimer was one of the 12 victims who had lost their lives at Century 16 theater. He was only 27 years old. I reported back to the base command. Leadership had been there all day. The look on everyone’s face was the same. We were baffled. Bewildered. Broken. We were not sure where to go from here, but we know we had to talk to the Sailors. We needed to unite. The Commanding Officer gave me the order. Call everyone at the command and have them report Saturday morning, so he can tell them about John. After placing all the calls, I walked to the gym on the compound. My emotions were beginning to appear. I walked up to a heavy bag, and without gloves, I just started hitting it. Hitting it as hard as I could, as fast as I could, at one point I screamed and dropped to the floor in exhaustion. Knuckles bleeding, tears running down my face. I felt rage, despair, I felt pain and emotion. It had been a long day.

The Morning After

Saturday morning, everyone reports. Leadership gives the update they had hoped they would never have to give. Many emotions were stirring, and the human side started showing in everyone. It was not just me that lost a Sailor. We all did. Many sailors were there at the theater. Some were grazed with bullets. Others had seen unspeakable carnage as people were screaming and desperately trying to escape. One Sailor would tell me that at first, he thought it was some sort of prank, smoke, and fireworks, until he heard the screams and seen the blood. Then he does not really remember much except being terrified and that John had covered up his date to protect her and then went down. Words of bravery and sacrifice would describe how it ended for some victims that day.

Aurora Stands United

Saturday evening word gets out that Aurora is holding a prayer vigil at the Town Hall for the victims on Sunday evening. Some Sailors from the command want to attend in uniform. I notify the Commanding Officer and assure him that I will be there as well to support and make sure they are not interfered with by press. He requests that any Sailors can go if they like and he would like the Chiefs Mess and Wardroom to also attend. We gather at a local restaurant and walk to the Town Hall together as one, united. The crowd of thousands begin cheering for us, showing their support. We gathered up in the front in formation to show our support for the city and that we are all “Aurora Strong”.

It was just the beginning of what would be challenging moments for us to grasp. We have all been through numerous trainings, but nothing prepared us for this tragedy. The guilt of it all took its toll on many of the Sailors, ones who were there, and ones who were close with John. As leadership, we had to be keenly aware of how everyone was feeling, how everyone was coping, but we also had to know when to give people their space. As leadership we felt partly responsible because we protect our own. The next couple of weeks were challenging. As a command we were shaken, Aurora as a city was shaken. The country was shaken. From this tragedy came a sense of unity. Everyone came together in support like I have never seen, and it did not stop in Aurora Colorado.

Taking John Home

We escorted John’s body to his hometown of Crystal Lake, Illinois. There was a mix up with flight arrangements, when me and a few escorts were put on a plane that did not have John. It was imperative that we were there to render honors with his casket at O’Hare airport where is family would be getting him home for the first time. The airline response was impressive. When we landed, a vehicle was on the tarmac ready to haul us over to John’s plane. The plane’s captain let us off first, which no one objected. We made it and honors were rendered. We begin the drive with police escorts and the Patriot Guard. The motorcade must have been a mile long. Too long for toll roads so we took side streets. For the whole drive, along the sides of the streets, there were supporters. Civilians standing with their hands over their hearts. Cops and Fire Fighters rendering salutes. It was an emotional sight. At the funeral home, the Patriot Guard stood watch holding flags. They never moved.

50 Sailors from the command were authorized to also come to the funeral and when military flight plans fell through, the city of Aurora and American Airlines handled it free of charge. We laid John to rest and during the ceremony, myself, and other leadership each approached his parents, sisters, and brother, knelt to one knee, bowed our heads, and presented each with a flag. Had a real hard time containing my emotions during that moment. It was heartbreaking, and something I'll never forget.

The Final Farewell. The Healing Process Begins

A few weeks had passed, and we decided that we should organize a memorial for John and invite his family out to attend. It was a way to bring a little closure to everyone who was still reeling from the loss. I put together a team to help organize this event. We wanted it to be personable. We already had the formal funeral, was not looking to repeat that. We gathered pictures of John and made a slideshow with a playlist of all his favorite songs. Thankfully, he liked good music. The city of Aurora covered all travel, hotel, rental, and catering expenses, so it was up to us to put together something memorable. With the hangar bay ready, everyone was gathered. Not just his family and the Navy command, but the entire base. I did not know until the Command Master Chief spoke that I would be giving the first speech. I did not think I was speaking at all, but I was his Chief, so it makes sense. As I am walking up there, I am quickly thinking of what to say. I decided that I would tell stories about funny interactions I had with John. His friends and shipmates each approached and followed up with funny stories as well. What had started weeks ago with tears and frustration, was met with laughter. We were still hurt, we were still shaken, but we were beginning to heal. We were healing together. John did that. John brought us together.

Never Forget. A Conclusion

Some of you will probably say, great story Garrett, but why LinkedIn? It is a valid question. I have a hard time telling this story. I have a hard time walking into a theater without checking the exits and thinking of an escape plan. When I think about the expectant mother who took her 6 year old daughter to the movie premier only to wake up hearing that her daughter was killed, she lost her baby, and she’d never walk again, I almost just want to forget about it. When I think about all the other victims, and the trauma suffered by the survivors, it is easier to think about something else. However, in these trying times, in times of a pandemic, in times of protest and unrest, stories of unity, stories of tragedy bringing us together need to be told. We need to remember that life is not a burden, but a gift, and unity is necessary to survive. Thank you for reading.