On Sunday in Thousand Oaks, light overcame darkness.
The oak tree that stood guard over a makeshift memorial that formed in the days after the Borderline Bar and Grill massacre at Rolling Oaks Drive and S. Moorpark Road was adorned with 12 lanterns and illuminated in honor of the 12 lives that were lost in the Nov. 7 shooting.
“This tree meant a lot to people in the two days after everything happened, and I feel it was the right place, the right thing to do,” Borderline owner Brian Hynes said before a moment of silence for the victims.
Hundreds of Borderline patrons, many of whom who had survived the massacre, line danced in the parking lot for over an hour before the 8:30 p.m. lighting ceremony. When the lights came on, the large crowd, hands draped over shoulders, sang in unison to Garth Brooks’ “Friends in Low Places.”
Music played from a small set of speakers throughout the evening.
On the night of the shooting, the tree stood over the intersection where sheriff’s deputies and firefighters staged their response, where survivors reconnected with friends after fleeing for safety and where family members waited in the dark to hear news of the fate of their loved ones.
Immediately after the tragedy, Hynes said, the ancient valley oak became a meeting place for hugs, tears and support. He said the idea to permanently light the tree was a collaborative effort among several people in the community, and the supplies and labor were donated by Tri-County Electric and Mobile Illuminations.
The lights will turn on nightly.
“It’s an oak tree in the middle of Thousand Oaks that so many people found so much solace underneath, and I would much rather see it lit up like this than sit in a place of darkness,” Hynes told the Acorn.
Karen Helus, the widow of Borderline hero Sgt. Ron Helus, was on hand for the lighting ceremony, which took place on what would have been her husband’s 55th birthday. She said she appreciated that the 12 lights were shining together in the community.
“I love this. It’s beautiful,” she said.
Families who lost loved ones in the shooting, including the parents of Noel Sparks, Cody Coffman, Blake Dingman and Jake Dunham, watched the lighting. Justin Meek’s sister Victoria also came to see the tribute.
Gladys Manrique’s brother Dan Manrique was a Marine veteran who’d dedicated his life to helping other struggling vets. She watched the lighting ceremony, holding her children and standing next to her parents and other siblings.
“I think it will be a really nice symbol of how much light there has been in the community, especially since it’s been over eight months now and people are still talking about it every day,” she said.
Simi Valley resident Michael Morisette, who lost his daughter Kristina in the shooting, said he and his wife, Martha, were glad to see a tribute close to the scene of tragedy and where the memorial had stood before being moved to the entrance of Borderline. The city and park district are building a healing garden and memorial three miles away at Conejo Creek Park North that they plan to dedicate on the first anniversary of the massacre.
Morisette said the lighting makes sure that hallowed ground will be commemorated.
“This is perfect. Everybody who drives by it and sees it will know what it means,” he said. “Especially when you see the 12 lights.”
Ventura County Supervisor Linda Parks and state Sen. Henry Stern attended the lighting and offered hugs to the families of the victims.
Stern said it was appropriate to mark the place where the original Borderline memorial once stood.
“This is where the community organically poured out their hearts, so it’s fitting that we light this up and that we all have a little light in a dark year,” he said.