August 26, 2015 - A dark day for Local TV

You would think a morning live shot to interview the local chamber president promoting tourism would be about the easiest, and safest assignment two journalists could ever take on.  Yet, for Alison Parker and Adam Ward, two young, enthusiastic employees at WDBJ-TV, sadly it would be their last.

When I first heard something was going on via twitter, I thought surely these folks are OK...this just doesn't happen.  But unfortunately, I was wrong.  This time, it was like a punch to the gut.  I felt physically sick.  I have been in similar situations hundreds of time...out in the open standing with a camera next to a vehicle with the station logo screaming like a neon billboard in Vegas.  And of course, how many times has a stranger walked up and said, "Do you work for the TV station," or "Can you put me on TV?"  If I had a dollar for every time that happened. 

This time it hurt because I could put myself in their position...I can relate to being in that exact situation.  I didn't know Alison or Adam...never worked with either of them.  However, I have worked with hundreds of young, eager journalists just like them, and I am so heartbroken that these two young lives were gunned down so tragically.

I went home yesterday, and I couldn't turn the TV on.  I just sat in silence and cried.  I'm not sure why this hurts so much, but it does. 

I pray for their families, their friends and their co-workers, that they may find peace and understanding during this very difficult time. 

And I pray that this dark day for the local TV industry is overwhelmed with bright, shining memories of these two young professionals...may they never be forgotten.