A tragic and difficult time

As Principal Kirk Black announced the news over the public address system and called for a moment of silence, it was apparent by the looks of those around me that the horror of war had finally hit home. My thoughts and the thoughts of most of my fellow students immediately turned to Andrew's younger brothers, Anthony, a senior at San Mateo High School, and Anderson, a freshman at Aragon High School.

I will certainly never understand all that Anthony and Anderson have gone through, as a sibling I can only begin to understand the pain of losing a brother.

My brother and Andrew Dang graduated together in Aragon's Class of 2002. While I had the good fortune this past week to catch up with my brother over Heidi's Pies and Blockbuster movies, Anthony and Anderson had to cope with the idea that their brother will never be returning home. And as my brother packed up to head back to school for another 10 weeks, my mom was able to strip the sheets and clean the room with the knowing comfort that her son would return home again. Andrew's mother is not so blessed.

Many have speculated that the youth of our country do not truly understand the complexities and horrors of war. However, the amount of concern, compassion and caring emanating from the student body for Anthony, Anderson and their family was overwhelming. Almost immediately, administrators and students joined forces to brainstorm ideas as to how to assist the family through this tragic and difficult time.

When dealing with tragedy, people often feel that outsiders cannot relate to what they are going through. In reality, Andrew's death has brought a cohesion to the community that I have never seen in my four years as a high school student. The day after the news was heard, the Aragon leadership class set up tables in center court where students could sign condolence banners for the Dang family. His death brings home to us the horror of war. The war in Iraq is no longer something we just read about in the news.

Occasionally, my parents discuss the Vietnam War and how virtually every family in America was affected by a death or serious injury of a loved one. For my generation, the horror of that war had never really sunk in until hearing the news of Andrew Dang's death. My contemporaries and I are now beginning to understand what our parents' generation experienced over 30 years ago.

I know I speak for the entire San Mateo Union High School District when I say that all of our thoughts and prayers are with the Dang family at this time.

Grace Kallis is a senior at Aragon High School. Her column, Graceland, highlights news from this area's high schools and other activities around town. It appears every Tuesday. If you have some news you'd like to send Grace's way, e-mail her at grace@smdailyjournal.com.