Dillon Henry's Obituary Brings Tears to Reader

Palisadian-Post

07-19-2007

By the time I read Thursday's beautiful article about the life and death of Dillon Henry, I, like many Palisadians, had already had lengthy, tearful discussions with family and friends about the incident. Still, when I read the article in the Pallisadian-Post, I was brought to my knees and wept. And I am not ashamed. I did not know Dillon or his family but my sons, who attend Palisades High, speak of him with the same endearment reflected in the article (written by a friend of the family, Anne Roberts). I join the throngs of Palisadians who mourn the loss of such a bright young life and reel from the overwhelming sorrow that the Henry family and our community is experiencing. Regardless of the circumstances of the accident, we should not lose sight of the significance of Dillon's spirit and positive energy - he apparently touched many in his short life and has affected even more in death.

Dillon was fulfilling the type of life that we expect and pray for in our children and ourselves: one dedicated to kindness, respect, convern for people and the environment here and globally. What more could anyone ask for in a person? It is unfair to have that spirit cut short, but discussing it at length as the Post has done will help us remember it, respect it, learn from it and inspire us to emulate the many good things Dillon stood for. Our village has lost a fine young man, but he gave us a lifelong gift. Now it is our turn to honor him by living the way he would have wanted us to with love in our hearts and with the same big smile he had.

by Bruce L. Ishimatsu