Kelly: Softening the pain of violence

When an elite task force of federal agents and Omaha SWAT officers rolled last week, no one was happier than people living in neighborhoods most affected by gun violence.

"I was really glad they collected those guns," said Mary Lemon, whose 19-year-old grandson, Devon Brown, was killed last year in a drive-by shooting outside a store at 6341 N. 24th St. "I'm hoping for a change."

The show of force was impressive. Heavily armed agents in paramilitary garb rode an assault vehicle, leading an 11-vehicle convoy from 30th Street and Ames Avenue. Arrests were made, and about 70 illegal weapons were seized.

U.S. Attorney Deborah Gilg called it a significant step in ridding the community of felons, firearms and drugs, but said there is more to come.

Omaha is known for its relatively low crime rate for a city its size. But when violent crime strikes your family or your block, the rate is far too high.

Sadie Bankston, whose 19-year-old son was shot to death downtown in 1989, has helped grieving families practically ever since. Her organization, PULSE, will observe its 20th anniversary from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday at the Skinner Magnet Center, 4304 N. 33rd St.

The $10-per-person event is a fundraiser for PULSE, an acronym for People Uniting, Lending Support and Encouragement. The observance will include music, door prizes and testimonies from relatives of victims. Douglas County Treasurer John Ewing, a former police officer, will be the emcee.

For the past 20 years, Bankston and other PULSE volunteers have provided companionship in courtrooms, information on counseling, "We Care" packages of paper goods and dinners and other assistance.

They also have answered desperate phone calls in the middle of the night. Volunteers are the pulse of the organization.

"If I need something," Bankston said, "I can readily call on 50 to 100 volunteers."

Mary Lemon said her longtime friend Sadie came to her home in times of suffering. Besides her grandson's 2010 death to gunfire, Mary grieved the deaths of two adult daughters, both stabbed to death on Christmas Eve in 2007.

"I'm surprised I still have my sanity," she said. "I thank God for that."

In Bankston's honor Friday, Lemon will recite Maya Angelou's poem "Phenomenal Woman."

Bankston keeps the ashes of son Wendell Grixby in an urn and thinks of him daily. "The pain doesn't go away, it just gets softer. That's what I tell mothers."

Yes, she says, things have changed in the community over the years. "They are worse," she said. "Worse."

After all her efforts over two decades, is Bankston frustrated that violence persists?

"It's more sad than frustrating," she said. "It's very sad. I pray that it will get better."

Bankston said she hopes people will attend Friday and honor the memory of those who have died as well as their families.

She appreciated last week's raid to get illegal guns off the streets, and only wishes it had come sooner. "But better now than never."

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