On this date, September 6, 1901, the 25th President of the United
States, William McKinley, was shot and fatally wounded inside the Temple of
Music on the grounds of the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York.
McKinley was shaking hands with the public when he was shot by Leon Czolgosz,
an anarchist. The President died on September 14 from gangrene caused by the
bullet wounds.
William McKinley who
was a devout Christian forgave his assassin but Leon Czolgosz still had to pay
with his life. He was executed on October 29, 53 days after the crime and 47
after the president’s death. He was guilty beyond any doubt at all, thank God
the Justice System was swift and sure at that time.
"He didn't know, poor fellow, what he was doing. He couldn't have known."- William McKinley
Leon Czolgosz shoots
President McKinley with a concealed revolver. Clipping of a wash drawing by T.
Dart Walker.
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We, the comrades of Unit 1012,
remember this tragic event every year on September 6. We had made President
William McKinley one of the 26 Christian Martyrs of Unit 1012. The
lesson we learn from the assassination is that McKinley (who was a murdered
victim) still forgave his assassin publicly, this case will debunk the myth
that Death Penalty Supporters like us, are all revengeful and hateful. Every
year on September 6, we will post an article or interview about forgiveness.
For this year’s Forgiveness Project
of Unit 1012, we have a special guest; we will interview a friend of the
victims’ families. The victims here are Arjen and Yvonne Ryder, a couple who
died in the Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 on July 17, 2014.
This person request to remain anonymous and we will name him the special guest.
Unit
1012:
How did you feel that day when you learn that two of the 298 victims of MH17,
were relatives of your friends?
Special
Guest:
I felt so devastated. I became depress for several days and I got nerve rash
because of the sadness. Although I am not related to the Ryders myself, I felt
strongly and I have staunch empathy and sympathy for those who lost their loved
ones through homicide.
Unit
1012:
How did you cope with the sadness?
Special
Guest:
First of all, despite losing Arjen and Yvonne, I prayed hard and I know that
they are both in a better place now. Secondly, I consistently reminded myself
to think of how they lived and not how they died.
Unit
1012:
One of the family members of the 298 victims on MH17 wants the death penalty
for those responsible for shooting down the plane, what is your stance on the
death penalty for those perpetrators?
Special
Guest:
Well, this is a tough decision for me. I understand the feelings of the mother who lost her son, I walk in her shoes and I personally feel that they should be
put to death for their ‘war crime’. However, I want a fair trial and proper
investigation, as I do not want to convict an innocent person. I will leave it
to those investigators to do their job like the CIA/FBI. I rather focus on
remembering the Ryder Couple and also the other 296 victims.
Unit
1012:
Do you forgive the perpetrators yourself?
Special
Guest:
Yes I do. I personally admire the family members and relatives of the Ryders,
who forgive those who shot down the plane. I strongly agree with Unit 1012’s
motto of Justice and Protection. I prayed hard and I will forgive them,
however, I know that forgiveness does not eliminate consequences. Although I
forgive them, I still feel that they must be prosecuted for ‘war crimes’. I
feel that way not because of revenge but of justice. As mention above, I prefer
focusing on the 298 victims more than I am interested in pursuing justice as I
want fairness.
Unit
1012:
Thank you for your time.
Special
Guest:
You are welcome.
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