Tribute to Gary Miller

Gary was my friend and co worker. He was 43-years young when he was shot and killed during the early morning hours of August 6, 1999 in Cumru Township, Reading, PA. Gary was the night manager of a grocery store for more than 20 years. He was also a well-respected gospel music promoter bringing music acts to Pennsylvania for many years. Although it has been more than 12 years since Gary was shot to death, there isn’t a day that he isn’t thought of or talked about. His life impacted so many people around the country and yet we still do not know who took his life or why. I was fortunate to be one of the last people to spend time with Gary before his life was taken. He was always making people laugh and uplifting their spirits. Each day when I see the news, there is more and more gun violence. Each life taken tragically just like Gary’s, and it just continues to get worse and worse. I feel that if our lawmakers would have to endure what most crime victims (survivors ) do, they would take action. It is a known fact that the wrong people are getting their hands on guns – yet our lawmakers do not strengthen our laws. The rights of crime victims in my state (PA) are not enforced, so many victims are revictimized over and over again. When I spoke to our state representative concerning the issue, he stated several times, ‘”That’s not supposed to happen.” Well, it is happening. Our communities are not battle grounds. People who use guns to take human life need to be stopped. I watched Gary’s mother and family go through many years of torture, and since his death, not one of our gun laws has been made stronger or enforced better. Time has stood still since Gary’s murder. He is a treasured memory to myself and many others. He should still be here with us – to celebrate holidays, birthdays, special occasions. I miss his laugh, his jokes and wity sense of humor. God Bless you Gary, Rest in Peace