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I-35 Bridge Collapse One Year On

2008 Aug 1 Posted by Joseph Pascarella

Last year on this date at approximately 6:05 PM Central Standard Time, the I-35W Bridge connecting downtown Minneapolis collapsed and plunged into the Mississippi River, killing 13 people. There are several memorials planned throughout the Minneapolis area to commemorate the anniversary.

We wrote several blog entries on this topic
on this topic.

Anniversaries of major tragedies serve multi purposes, most of them positive. The remembrance and memorials help reconcile the unthinkable and senseless loss of life. The memorials also ground us and compel us to recognize the preciousness of the moment and life. The negative part of anniversaries of major tragedies is that the anniversary forces us to relieve the trauma of the incident; What were we doing on that day? What were our last memories of the bridge? Did we know any of the victims?

Mental health experts are mixed regarding the emphasis that should be placed on anniversaries, although an emerging perspective in trauma counseling within public safety is the singular approach. Essentially, one form of counseling does not fit all. Each individual reconciles trauma from a major event differently, therefore, there is not “right way” to grieve.

As always, take care and stay safe.

Joe Pascarella

August 1, 2008 | Filed under: Uncategorized
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4 Responses to “I-35 Bridge Collapse One Year On”

Mary Jo Says:

As this on year anniversary of the tradegy of the collapse of the I-35 bridge is here I wish to convey my condolences to those who lost loved ones and co-workers. I wish to give my love and support to all of those affected directly, and indirectly on this anniversary.

Affectionately to all,

Mary Jo Nelson

August 1st, 2008 at 3:04 pm

Teddy Brown Says:

A year ago I watched the replys of this accident on CNN. To my suprise, the day after the accident I spoke to one of the admissions Reps.at Capella University (lindsey in Human Services)about information on coming to Capella. We talk of this accident and we said a prayer for the families and the people that were killed. Lindsey thought, but we not sure one of the employees’s of Capella lost his or her life in this weird accident. Today, I am a grad student at Capella and I am starting my third (3) quarter with Capella. WHen I saw the Anniversarie on my Local TV station, I wondered how the familes are doing and also I thought of that professional lady named Lindsey and that said day we spent thinking of the people that were involeded in this accident. God bless each and everyone at the accident location and also to the professional named Lindsey.

Ted Brown
Whitesburg, KY

August 3rd, 2008 at 6:16 pm

Joe Pascarella Says:

Mary Jo,

Thanks for your wishes. Much appreciated.

Joe Pascarella

August 5th, 2008 at 5:19 am

Joe Pascarella Says:

Ted,

Thanks.

Joe Pascarella

August 5th, 2008 at 5:19 am

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