Slain Capital Gazette 'Hero' Deserves Medal Of Freedom: MD Reps
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Wendi Winters, one of the five slain Capital Gazette employees killed in a mass shooting, should be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for facing down the accused gunman with no more of a weapon than her trash and recycling bins, say the members Maryland’s Democratic Congressional delegation. The politicians on Monday sent a letter to the White House urging President Donald Trump to consider Winters for the nation’s highest civilian honor, which has traditionally been awarded by the president to those who have made meritorious contributions to the security of the United States, to world peace, to culture or to other significant endeavors.
According to eyewitness accounts from survivors of the June 28 shooting, Winters armed herself with the closest weapons at hand – her trash and recycling bins – and charged the shooter, shouting for him to stop. It is believed that Wendi’s actions distracted the shooter enough to enable several of her coworkers to escape, said Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger, in a statement.
“Previous presidents have awarded the Medal of Freedom posthumously on dozens of occasions and we believe Wendi is a hero deserving of the same,” the delegation wrote. “She died not only protecting her colleagues, but in defense of the First Amendment.”
The entire Maryland delegation except Rep. Andy Harris, R-District 1, sanctioned the letter. A spokeswoman for Harris told the Capital Gazette he is reviewing the letter.
Maryland’s House delegation led a moment of silence on the House floor in honor of the Capital Gazette victims. U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen led a Senate resolution– passed unanimously – in honor of the victims: Gerald Fischman, Rob Hiaasen, John McNamara, Rebecca Smith and Winters.
The full text of the letter follows:
July 16, 2018
President Donald J. Trump
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
As you are aware, it is the authority of the President of the United States to award the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The President historically bestows this honor to men and women who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security and safety of his or her fellow citizens.
As Senators and Representatives for the State of Maryland, we urge you to consider Wendi Winters for this great distinction. As you may know, Wendi was among the five victims who lost their lives in the mass shooting at the Capital Gazette newsroom on June 28, 2018, in Annapolis, Maryland. According to eyewitness accounts from survivors, Wendi armed herself with the closest weapons at hand – her trash and recycling bins – and charged the shooter, shouting for him to stop. It is believed that Wendi’s actions distracted the shooter enough to enable several of her coworkers to escape.
In addition to dedicating her career to the betterment of her community, Wendi’s family is rooted in military tradition. She was the daughter of a Naval Academy graduate and the mother of three Navy officers. She sponsored numerous midshipman over the years. A Girl Scout leader, she also volunteered with the Red Cross and as a youth adviser at her church.
Previous Presidents have awarded the Medal of Freedom posthumously on dozens of occasions and we believe Wendi is a hero deserving of the same. She died not only protecting her colleagues, but in defense of the First Amendment.
Again, we enthusiastically recommend Wendi Winters for the Presidential Medal of Freedom and we look forward to your expeditious response.
SEE ALSO: Wife’s Gut-Wrenching Essay On Husband’s Death In Capital Shooting
Uptown Fest Proceeds To Help Shooting Victims
Organizers of Uptown Fest 2018said Monday that proceeds from the door and raffles will be donated to The Capital Gazette Families Funds. The festival will be held from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 4, at Union Jack’s in Annapolis. Doors will open at 3 p.m. Hosted by Maker’s Mark, this event is bringing together some of the finest high-energy rock acts in the area. The show is 18+.
More than 12 artists, who have donated their time and talent, will perform on two stages. Artists include Deaf Scene, MountainWolf, Del Florida as well as the Annapolis based band Kit and the Chardonnay Boys.
Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Visit Ticket Web to purchase tickets.
Benefit Concert Planned
Maryland native rockers Good Charlotte will headline a benefit concert July 28 to support the Capital Gazette shooting victims’ families and survivors. City officials said the concert will also promote freedom of the press and its importance to democracy. Headliners Good Charlotte have connections to the city and come from Waldorf, Maryland.
“Annapolis will always be dear to us, and we couldn’t be more proud of how the city has handled this tragedy,” said Benji and Joel Madden, band founders, in a statement. “It’s only natural for us to want to do our part for the city and the people who have given us a place in Maryland that we still call home.”
The Good Charlotte concert will begin in the afternoon with several musical performances and guest speakers coming from the world of journalism. Proceeds will be directed to the fund established for the victims and survivors and journalism scholarships. The event will take place from a stage on College Avenue.
The event will be ticketed. Information regarding tickets will be available soon.
The local fundraiser established to help the families, victims and survivors of the attack is The Capital Gazette Families Fund, which will be managed through the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County. The Michael and Jacky Ferro Family Foundation will match up to $1 million of donations, according to tronc, the parent company of The Baltimore Sun Media Group, which includes the Capital.
The fund is described this way on the foundation website: In honor of the Capital Gazette victims, their colleagues, and their families in Annapolis, MD, this fund has been established to provide immediate relief and long-term recovery support to those individuals directly and indirectly affected by the tragedy. Grants can be applied to grief and trauma counseling, medical expenses not covered by insurance, funeral expenses, and other associated expenses and services.
SEE ALSO:
Bloomberg Government reporter Madi Alexander started a GoFundMe page to help the shooting victims. The fund had received about $206,000 in donations by July 16.
“Our hearts break for our colleagues in Annapolis and we want to do whatever we possibly can to help them pay for medical bills, funeral costs, newsroom repairs, and any other unforeseen expenses that might arise as a result of this terrible shooting,” Alexander wrote.
Jarrod Ramos, the accused gunman charged with five counts of murder after opening fire at the Capital Gazette, was apparently seeking revenge for a July 2011 article the Capital Gazette published about a criminal case against him for harassing a former high school classmate so severely she feared for her life. The article was apparently a source of anger that simmered for years.
PHOTO: Beads, a wooden heart and flowers decorate a photograph of Wendi Winters at a makeshift memorial outside the Capitol Gazette offices July 2, 2018 in Annapolis, Maryland. Winters, 65, a local news reporter and community columnist, was killed in a shooting along with her colleagues. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
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