Vegas Stronger

I’m not a fan of country music.
It’s a different story for many friends who attended the Route 91 Harvest Festival last year.

For days leading up to the concert and throughout the evening my newsfeed was filled with happy photos and updates. While I’m not in tune with country, I love music. It has the power to heal, transport and transform. Concerts are celebrations.

Before turning in for the night, I decided to check email. The news alerts, posts, photos and videos were terrifying and heartbreaking. Propped up on pillows, I sat in bed anxiously searching for news that friends were safe and the threat had ended. It was 3 or 4 on Monday morning before I fell asleep for a few hours, waking again to the nightmare.

As a second-generation Las Vegas native whose family moved here in 1936 and helped build this town, this attack felt personal - against Las Vegas, friends, music, safe spaces . . . so many ways.

In the aftermath of tragedy, our community showed the world Las Vegas is so much more than a Strip. Countless acts of kindness put a spotlight on the real Las Vegas, beyond the neon skyline. Neighbors, strangers and heroes came together to do whatever was needed to help. Tourists returned our hospitality, helping the healing process in many ways.

Our Knights in Golden armor embraced their Vegas born roots, rolled up their sleeves and modeled what it means to be Vegas Strong both on and off the ice.

What happened in Vegas will be remembered for the stories of bravery, compassion and the light of human kindness that outshone an evil act.

Today, we are VegasStronger.