Submitted by Phillip M. Sierralta, Feb 14, 2008 09:55

The Summer of 1985 has long passed and for some in the world it passed without making a difference other than it was "a hot one." But for millions of others and especially the family of Robert Dean Stethem, it was the "worst of times." To lose a wonderful young man in the prime of his life to a group of thugs, who felt they needed to make a statement and were authorized to play god, was and remains an unconscionable act. I, like the writer of the article woke up to hear the news and was immediately transported back to that summer. I thought about our family and their probable mix of joy and sadness they experienced, as they too heard of the death of Mugniyah. Joy at the news of justice prevailing, and yet sadness at once again reliving the heinous crime perpetrated on our beloved Robert Dean Stethem.

I took a moment last night to drive to a school named aftein his honor and paused to reflect what could have been had he been alive today. As I looked at the sign that bears his name and watched the snow as it fell around the sign and his name, I realized that though he is long gone yet his memory lives on and will continue to do so as long a good people determine that they will not stand for this kind of barbarism.

The Summer of 1985 remains a distant heart wrenching memory; yet the family remains "Steadfast and Courageous' and will continue till everyone of those responsible is brought to justice. Yes Katherine...It feels like a new day!

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