As members of the Sons of Norway, a Las Vegas organization, gathered in her office, Mayor Carolyn Goodman signs a book of condolences Thursday morning remembering the victims of last Friday’s massacre in Norway. The group has organized a service for Thursday night, where members of the community may also sign the book, which will ultimately be sent to the king of Norway.
Thursday, July 28, 2011 | 12:31 p.m.
People look at tributes outside the Oslo Cathedral in Oslo, in memory of the victims of Friday's bomb attack and shooting rampage, Norway, Thursday, July 28, 2011.
Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman today offered her condolences to area friends and family members of the Norwegian victims of last Friday's massacre in Oslo and the nearby island of Utøya.
"There are people always in the world that are nuts and don't deserve the time of day when they take and affect the lives of so many others," Goodman said this morning during a ceremony in her office.
The Norwegian man who admitted killing 76 people in a bombing and youth camp massacre is a sociopath who acted without accomplices or a network of like-minded, right-wing extremists, and kept his plans to himself for more than a decade, a top Norwegian security official said today.
As members of the Vegas Viking Lodge of the Sons of Norway, dressed in traditional garb, gathered around her, the mayor signed a book of condolences. The book will ultimately be given to the king of Norway by the local Norwegian group.
The mayor wrote, "With sincerest condolences to the people in Norway who have been touched and pained by this tragedy, our prayers and sympathy from the communities in southern Nevada and the citizens of Las Vegas."
"We wish everyone only healing, and, in time, memories of the lives of those who have been lost," she said.
Goodman also invited area residents to take part in signing the book and come to an event tonight at the Christ Lutheran Church, 111 N. Torrey Pines Drive in Las Vegas.
Those who come may also place flowers and other mementos outside the church, starting at 6 p.m., according to organizers. A service will begin at 7 p.m. at the church.
Erik Pappa, president of the Vegas Viking Lodge of the Sons of Norway, organized the event, said 2000 census figures showed there were about 20,000 people who are of Norwegian descent in the Las Vegas Valley.
Pappa said there were about 50,000 people of Scandinavian descent who live in the valley, including about 20,000 Swedes and 10,000 Danes. He said that number may have grown to about 80,000 for the valley since that time.
With so many people the local Norwegian community, Goodman said it was important to deal with the tragedy.
"We have such a diverse community of people, coming from countries all over the world that adds such richness to Las Vegas life and everything that goes on here," she said. "And when you have something like this that touches a homeland, it doesn't only touch those of a Scandinavian descent, it certainly touches all of us. We're just so taken by this tragedy. It's just very sad."
Tonight's service will be conducted in English but will include Norwegian elements, Pappa said. Local Norwegians who own traditional folk wear called “bunads” are encouraged to wear them.
“This tragedy has profoundly affected Norwegians the world over,” Pappa said. “We felt it was important to come together as a community to remember the victims and to reflect on what happened. We are confident that Norway will ultimately emerge a stronger and better society.”
More information about the memorial may be found on the Vegas Viking website.
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