To those in the AYLUS community,
“There’s no tragedy in life like the death of a child. Things never get back to the way they were,” said Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th President of the United States, and parent of a son who died young.
As you no doubt have heard by now, two members of the Arcadia branch, William (16) and Anthony (15) Lin, were recently murdered by an estranged uncle in their home in California. Although I have never met them in person, I speak to you today to tell a little about their stories.
As co-Founder and President of the Arcadia branch, William Lin led events such as the 2015 AYLUS Clean Up the World Event and the 2015 AYLUS Food Drive, events that many of us in the community have also participated in. According to their Memorial Fund page, “William was a member of the Science Olympiad and Science Bowl teams, hoping to be captain in his senior year. William ran cross country in his freshman year and volunteered at Methodist Hospital. Anthony was a comedian, always cracking jokes and making his friends laugh.” To friends and faculty at their high school, they were “very happy, bright, engaged kids. Lots of friends.”
It is imperative to recognize that this is a moment in which we as a community must show our compassion and support for the Lin family, during their time of mourning. Whether you are a member of AYLUS for volunteer events or leadership opportunities, you are part of a community that is strong and nation-wide. While what is done is done, we as a community must use our strength to help the Lin family in any way we can. The South Boston Branch is hosting an art auction tomorrow in memory of William and Anthony. I encourage you, as a member of a branch or not, to conduct similar events to celebrate William and Anthony’s lives and reassure the Lin family that the AYLUS community is behind their backs, one hundred percent.
Parents and adults in the AYLUS community: There is more you can do as well. Please demonstrate your support by donating to the The Lin Brothers Memorial Fund: https://www.gofundme.com/ygr74y9g. It is the least we as a community can do to remember William and Anthony, and help mend the gaping holes that must be in the Lin family’s hearts. We stand thousands tall across this nation, and if we can ease the pain of the Lin family even a little bit, then we have accomplished our goal.
To the Lin family: I can’t even begin to express the grief and empathy I feel for your loss. My mother, who is also a parent of two children, is paralyzed with anguish for what you must feel right now, and what you have felt for the past month. Please know that the AYLUS community will be there to support you, on a national level, as much as we can. William and Anthony’s contributions to AYLUS will not be forgotten.
Sincerely,
Christie Yu
Vice President of AYLUS
For more information, please read: http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2016/01/25/teenage-brothers-murdered-in-arcadia-to-be-remembered-at-vigil-uncle-suspected-of-murder-agrees-to-extradition/