Tonight is the night! We've been preparing hard for this episode and we are both nervous and excited for what lies ahead. When we were first asked to do this we had no idea how much this story would affect us on a personal level. Everything we have learned about Jack from those that knew & loved him has touched our hearts. The stories have painted a picture of somebody that was loyal and kind; somebody who was a friend a friend would want to have. It has become clear to us that Jack Smith had nothing but promise before him for the life he would lead. In just a moment, in a reckless, preventable moment, all that promise was ripped away. Jack's story teaches us many things. It teaches us the need for more responsible parenting. It teaches us how quickly a situation can escalate to violence. It teaches us the need for stronger laws and stiffer consequences for the people who break those laws, no matter what their age. It also teaches us that life is fleeting and that those we love can be taken from us in the blink of an eye.
We feel honored to have been asked to be a part of this. We hope that everyone involved will feel as though they have done something for Jack. We also hope that somehow this will set the wheels in motion for change. The way Jack's case has been handled seems unjust. We hope this show, and people's response to it, will allow the powers that be to see that things need to change. So that somehow, Jack's death will not be in vain. It's too late to bring Jack back, but maybe it's not too late to prevent the same thing from happening again.
Thank you for allowing us to know Jack. Thank you for allowing us to help, in some small way, to honor his memory & speak out on his behalf.
What Jack has taught us: He was an adorable little boy, full of energy and life. He was intelligent a very polite young man, always considerate of others. He was a good friend to many, he had a great sense of humor. Dearly loved by his family, especially his Dad-he was his pride and joy. See the pictures? Every picture tells a story don't it? This case was handled wrong from the very beginning-I'm not a lawyer or a judge, but you don't have to be to see this injustice. Jack also had faith in God-he gave my daughter his bible, when he outgrew it. He was generous too. Everyone was so proud, he was in college-Life is not worth having a gun, sorry but it is true. Nothing but trouble-I gave up my permit to carry, and gun collection yrs ago, is it really worth loosing a life over to have one. NO IT IS NOT. So if you've learned anything from Jacks life or death, life is too valuable to loose in vein. Rest peacefully Jack.
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