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For the Record: Some answers will come

Posted on August 21, 2008 by Staff

The mood in this community shifted at the close of last week as a grieving family held a memorial for Atlas Fraley.

Shock over the passing of a young man full of promise whose flame was burning bright has now given way to questions, as the story of his last hours came to light.

His death comes in a year when this community has already lost so many young and promising people. Now, as another school year begins, a time that is typically so full of energy and enthusiasm is tempered by a devastating reminder of the fragility of life, even one that exemplified such strength, commitment and determination.

Amplified by sorrow, the uncertainty of what happened and what, if anything, could have been done differently is weighing on many. The details, unfortunately, are not easy to come by and piecing together the events will no doubt take time.

We know that Atlas knew he was in trouble and that emergency personnel responded, but just how things transpired and how it was that after receiving care he died is still unknown.

The Fraley family, the school system and the county are all investigating the events. As hard as it is to think about, there are too many questions not to thoroughly seek answers and to attempt as best we can to understand the circumstances. It is possible that nothing could have prevented this death and it is possible that knowing what happened may result in life-saving changes.

Even though we trust that eventually we will know how Atlas Fraley died, the most painful question — why? — may never fully be answered.

Solace can come from many places — from one’s beliefs, from the support of family and friends and from the often-subtle reminders that we journey through a wondrous, beautiful world. For the Fraley family, and for this community, solace will require all these things, but it will never be complete without the truth.

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