Gunman fatally shot six people in August 2012
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Aug 02, 2014: OAK CREEK, Wis. —Rahul Dubey said ignorance led to six people sacrificing their lives almost two years ago after a gunman opened fire at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in Oak Creek.
“One of the six souls, Mr. Satwant Singh Kaleka, he was my godfather and that influenced, that changed my whole life 360 degrees, I’m going to say. And that was a turning point for me,” he said.
Kaleka was one of six killed in the shooting on Aug. 5, 2012. Dubey helped organize a run and walk event at Oak Creek High School Saturday to raise money for scholarships in memory of those who died.
The group is also raising money for a memorial called Chardi Kala.
Dubey said the term means "relentless optimism" in Punjabi.
“It’s from tragedy to triumph,” he said. “So for these past two years, we have turned that from tragedy to triumph.”
Mindy Hummer brought her family to the event. She described it as an opportunity for her children to learn about diversity and what happened in the Sikh community.
“We remember the moment where we were exactly when it happened and we talk about that,” Hummer said. “It was someone who didn’t have all the information. They made a really bad decision, but we can’t go backwards.”
Signs with personal messages and words of hope surrounded the track Saturday. Dubey said the signs let the Sikh community know it is not alone.
“We are here to help you guys,” he said. “We feel the pain. We’re here as brothers and sisters. We’re here to help. Let us know what you guys need.”
Dubey said it is comforting to know the world remembers what happened two years ago and that people are cheering for them.
Copyright 2014 by WISN.com.