The final birthday for June 1 is Christopher “Drew” Leinonen. He would be 39 but died in 2016 at Pulse Orlando. Recognized w/the Anne Frank Award at 17 for defense of LGBT students & est the 1st Gay Straight Alliance, Drew was caring, considerate, & focused on unity & inclusion. Image
After obtaining a bachelor’s and master’s degree in clinical psychology at UCF, Drew found his niche as a mental health counselor in the Orlando Hospital ER. His mom called him “the epitome of the social butterfly” who loved to meet new people and enjoyed helping others.
Honoring his legacy, Drew’s friends est thedruproject.org – an advocacy group spreading love, supporting GSAs, & providing scholarships. As his friends said, Drew “felt like we all have a responsibility to not only treat people well, but to make the world a better place.”
Drew & 48 others, including his boyfriend, died because the lack of reasonable restrictions to semi-auto assault weapons allowed a man 2x flagged for the Natl Terrorist DB to buy a quick-load, high-cap AR-15 & a 17-round Glock semi-auto pistol.
#reasonablegunreforms

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More from @TBFPToodle_oo

Jun 4
Today, June 3, is the birthday of Jason Christopher Balatico. He would be 57 but died in the 1999 Xerox shooting at 33. A loving dad & hubs, Jason was taken from his wife, a daughter & son. Jason loved life, was a jokester, & particularly enjoyed playing pranks on co-workers. Image
Customers called him “a great guy…always willing to go above and beyond what the job required,” and specifically remember him making an afterhours service call with his family in tow to get the job done more quickly and even delivering food to workers on the midnight shift.
The shooter had a long history of mental health issues including paranoia, unfounded accusations of harassment, &recalcitrant behavior on the job. In 1993, he kicked in an elevator door in the office & was ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation & attend anger mgmt classes.
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Jun 3
Today, June 3, is the birthday of Monica Brickhouse. She would be 43 but died in the 2019 Dayton shooting at 39. Monica was taken from her husband, a 6-year-old son and 2 step-children, parents and a host of extended family and friends. Image
A devoted mom, beautiful wife, and loving daughter, she is remembered for her kindness and positivity. Co-workers and friends praised her easygoing spirit, good advice, and helpful nature.
She had an infectious smile, a big personality, & was anything but shy. And she was confident…known to say, “Listen, I’m intelligent, I’m classy, & by the way, I’m cute.” Monica & a dear friend from out of town went to the Oregon District for an evening of fun—neither survived.
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Jun 3
Today, June 3, is the birthday of Geraldine “Gerri” Talley. She would be 64 but died last year in the Tops Buffalo attack weeks before her 63rd birthday. Gerri loved baking, sitting by the water, watching game shows, and spending time with family. Image
She had a beautiful spirit, a dimpled smile, & an immense love for family & friends. She was taken from her 3 children & a host of friends & ext family. Co-workers & friends remembered a lovely lady who was caring, loving, & always had something good to say about everyone.
Nieces remembered her patience and willingness to French braid their hair and to always make sure that everyone had something good to eat. Gerri was a devoted mom and a loving sister. She had just learned that she was going to be a grandma, and she would have been an amazing one.
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Jun 3
Today, June 2, is also the birthday of Hadiya Pendleton. She would be 26 but died in the 2013 Harsh Park Chicago shooting, less than a mile from President Obama’s Chicago residence and just one week after performing in his inaugural events. Image
Hadiya was a good student who loved books, enjoyed taking silly selfies with friends, played volleyball, and performed with her high school band. Hadiya was the only fatality in a mistaken identity gang-related shooting which injured 2 others.
The Wear Orange Gun Violence Awareness Program is an outgrowth of the reaction to her death. Because orange symbolizes safety for hunters, Hadiya’s friends & family wore orange to commemorate what should have been her 18th b-day. The movement has grown exponentially since then.
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Jun 3
Today, June 2, is the birthday of Kristopher Jordan Minners. He would be 23 but died 3 days after his 22nd birthday on South Street in Philadelphia. A skilled basketball and chess player, Kris was a light and a magnet, but he was humble. He was soft spoken, but confident. Image
In addition to his 22nd birthday, Kris had a lot to celebrate -- he had his dream “difference maker” job and an apartment he loved Kris attended Girard College, a residential K-12 school for disadvantaged youth, through 8th grade, until his family moved away.
Hoping to give back, Kris returned to Girard as a residential advisor. The school’s president described how Kris “blew [them] away” with his Zoom interview…it was as if “the computer was vibrating with this warm presence of this kid whose smile lit up the darn screen.”
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Jun 2
Today, June 2, is the birthday of Hannah Lassette Ahlers. She would be 40 but died in the 2017 Las Vegas attack. Hannah was taken from her high school sweetheart & husband of 17 years and their 3 children ages 14, 11 and 3. Image
Beautiful inside & out w/ a 😀 that could 💡up a room, she was a loving mom, wife, & friend to all. Friends recalled the impact she had on everyone she met w/her compassion, acceptance, grace, & love. She 🥰 being a stay-at-home mom & being there for every event for her children.
The family enjoyed boating, and Hannah and her husband shared a love for music and concerts. They were attending Route 91 together with 3 other couples when she was killed, shot in the head in the initial burst of gunfire.
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