Here's some good news. A Go Fund Me campaign for something worthwhile has reached its goal of raising $30,000. It's sad, but it was set up to cover the funeral expenses of Greg Zanis, the man from Aurora, Illinois, who was often seen on the news setting up crosses, Stars of David, and crescent moons where mass shootings and other horrors had taken place.
He was 69. Late last year, he came down with bladder cancer, and the Friday before last, his daughter arranged one of those uniquely CovidAmerican events, with people driving by to wave to her dad as he stood greeting them all from the porch.
Zanis started his Crosses For Losses in 1996, after the murder of his father-in-law. By the time he retired his campaign in December, the total was 26,680. About 21,000 of them were for mass shooting victims. He told CNN that each cross took an hour to make, paint, and letter.
He was probably best known for bringing 58 crosses and Stars of David to Las Vegas after 58 people were gunned down at the Route 91 Harvest Festival country music show. The city of Las Vegas honored him with a key to the city and a Greg Zanis Day commemoration.
He also showed up with mementos at natural disasters, bus wrecks and boating accidents - and Martha's Vineyard, where John F. Kennedy, Jr. and family died in a plane crash.
Aurora Mayor Richard C. Irvin said:
“Mr. Greg Zanis was a giant among men. He was a man of action who simply wanted to honor the lives of others. In return, his life was one of honor and one that was celebrated throughout our nation and world. Heeding to the scripture ‘pick up your cross and follow me,’ Mr. Greg Zanis did just that. He picked up the crosses he made and followed his mission in the noblest of ways. His legacy shall forever be remembered in his hometown of Aurora and around the globe.”
Here's a way we can continue to honor the work and spirit of Greg Zanis. How's about we stop shooting each other 58 at a time?
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