MADD vigil unites families for support, memories
By Adam Kovac It was hard for Debbie Landis to relive the nightmare that brought her in front of about 60 others Tuesday night, but it was also an honor for her to speak about a topic she feels strongly about. Her voice quivering at times, Debbie recounted to other friends and family of victims of drunken drivers how one person's irresponsibility took the life of her husband and traumatized her family forever. "On Dec. 27 of last year, Mike Landis was not killed by accident. My husband of 21 years was pronounced dead at the scene because of the irresponsible actions of a person choosing to drink and drive," Landis said. Landis was not alone in her sentiments at Riehle Plaza, speaking during a candlelight vigil to remember those injured or killed by drunken drivers. It was the first such event sponsored by the Greater Lafayette Mothers Against Drunk Driving to not only pay tribute to lost friends and loved ones, but to offer support to many survivors who are spending their first Christmas coping with the loss. Some attendants wiped away tears as Debbie told of the crash that killed her husband and seriously injured her daughter, Laura. Michael Landis, the athletic director at McCutcheon High School and Laura, now a senior at McCutcheon, were en route to attend the 2000 Outback Bowl when a drunken driver crossed six lanes of traffic before slamming into their vehicle on Interstate 75 in Georgia. Laura was hospitalized for several days following the crash. Anyone could be a victim For years, Mary Tremmel, area coordinator for MADD, had never considered herself a victim. But all that changed after an alcohol-related crash near her home on March 21, 1999, on County Road 350 South. "Then I realized that I am a potential victim, my children are potential victims -- everyone I know is a potential victim," Tremmel said. Tremmel expressed hope that the vigil would encourage people to act responsibly in addition to offering support for those whose lives have been shattered by the effects of drinking and driving. As they filed to light candles, some attendants at the vigil also paused to say a few words in memory of grandchildren, cousins, husbands and sons killed in alcohol-related crashes. Among them was Dan Towery, for whom lighting a candle in memory of his daughter, Sarah, and her boyfriend, Chip Smith -- killed that Sunday morning near Tremmel's home -- is more than a symbol of tribute. "I can't do anything about what
happened," Towery said. "But in their memory we can do what we
can to prevent such needless destruction of life that was so
avoidable."
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