—
FROSTBURG — Remembering Evan Kullberg and Alyssa Salazar should be about life and helping others, speakers at a memorial vigil for the two Frostburg University students said Sunday evening.
“Tonight we are all brothers and sisters,” said Steve Weatherholt of the university’s Greek Council. “Evan and Alyssa no longer have an earthly life with us, but will live on in our hearts. And to live in the hearts of others is not to die,” he said.
Kullberg, 23, of Frostburg and Alyssa Salazar of Annapolis died Friday in an early-morning blaze at an apartment building at 82 E. Main St. Salazar turned 20 on Friday.
Students entered the doors of the Cordts Physical Education Center Main Arena Sunday evening passing by members of the university’s Greek community holding vigil candles, creating an illuminated pathway into the darkened room.
The memory of the two students will be a call to action as well, with Kullberg’s fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Salazar’s sorority, Kappa Tau Epsilon, planning to organize to promote fire safety and education in Frostburg, said Frostburg State University President Jonathan Gibralter.
Gibralter said he’d been told by faculty members that Salazar, an elementary education major, would have “become one of the great teachers.”
Several hundred students and faculty members gathered for the vigil, and Kullberg’s sisters each spoke briefly. “There’s no right thing to say when you lose a brother,” said Kristen Kullberg. She remembered spending last Thanksgiving with Evan and Alyssa. “They looked happy and silly ... like they always are,” she said. Evan’s family was touched by the turnout, she said. “That means the world to us.” A subdued standing ovation came after Kristen and her sister, Kathryn, spoke.
Salazar’s sorority sisters took the stage and one member spoke for her sorority sisters about Alyssa. “She embodied the image of a person you couldn’t help but love,” said Kylie Loube. Loube said that just a few weeks ago, Salazar told her sorority sisters that she wanted to do something to draw us all closer together than ever before.
As usual, Alyssa took things “over the top,” Loube said, laughing and tearing up as she spoke of the conversation.
Evan Kullberg “was the definition of a true gentleman and the ultimate businessman,” said Steven Dittmer of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Kullberg was part owner of Malino’s Pizza and involved in other businesses, he said. Dittmer then read from letters fraternity members prepared about their memories of Kullberg.
One fraternity brother wrote that one day Kullberg was talking up Milano’s New York style pizza. The fraternity brother said he told Kullberg he was from New York, and that wasn’t New York pizza. “‘But there is nothing I’d like more now than a slice of that pizza,’” Dittmer said as he read from the letter.
More than one speaker acknowledged the difficulty of understanding why the two students died. “The events that happened last Friday won’t make sense today, tomorrow ... or ever,” said Ian Spears, student government association president. “Let us remember them because they loved life,” he said.
“We have two guardian angels looking down on us now,” said Loube. Life is precious, so Loube asked everyone to “turn to the person next to you and tell them you love them.”
Contact Matthew Bieniek at mbieniek@times-news.com.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Students holding candles line the entrance to the Frostburg State University’s Cordts Arena Sunday evening as family members of Alyssa Salazar and Evan Kullberg enter for a memorial service for the students who died in an off-campus fire on Friday. John A. Bone/Times-News
-
Kristen, right, and Kathryn Kullberg, sisters of fire victim Evan Kullberg, talk about their brother during Sunday’s vigil at Frostburg State University. John A. Bone/Times-News
Fire victims mourned at vigil
Frostburg State community focuses on life, future
- Local News
-
-
Eight siblings served during World War II
An inspection of the Bridges of Bedford County shows that eight of the 12 siblings served their country with military service either during or shortly after World War II.
-
Giving back
Allegany High School students Casey Kidd, left, and Victoria Bohrer sweep gravestones and place flags at Rocky Gap Veterans Cemetery on Friday. Kidd and Bohrer were part of a larger effort by their ninth-grade government class, who honored veterans by cleaning the site.
-
Almost half of new vets seek disability
As the nation commemorates the more than 6,400 troops who died in post-9/11 wars, the problems of those who survived also draw attention.
-
Millions in aid for Iraq goes unspent
Outside the crumbling elementary school, goats feed on trash strewn across the front yard. Inside, the ceiling is rotting, toilets don’t work and students scrunch hip-to-hip behind narrow desks.
-
For the fallen, for those who served, for those serving: Thank you
In observance of Memorial Day, the local Ali Ghan Shrine Club held a service at the club grounds on Saturday, honoring those who paid the ultimate price in defense of our freedom and giving thanks to those who served and are serving in the military.
-
Celebrating 100 years
Bertha V. Burkett celebrated her 100th birthday with family at the Frostburg Nursing Center on Saturday.
-
No trial date set in man’s murder case
A trial date in the capital murder case of a Maryland man charged in the slaying of his ex-wife’s boyfriend could not be set Wednesday because defense attorneys are awaiting reports from experts.
-
Pet oxygen masks donated to Oakland VFD
Resident Michael McGuire recently donated two pet oxygen mask kits to the Oakland Volunteer Fire Department.
-
PlanMaryland workshops set in region
People who are interested in PlanMaryland are invited to two workshops to discuss incorporating the economic development interests of Western Maryland into the first state development plan.
-
UNDEFEATED STATE CHAMPS!
Mountain Ridge softball head coach Martha Mauzy and players react after the Miners’ 4-3 win over Mardela in the Maryland 1A state championship game at the University of Maryland on Saturday.
- More Local News Headlines
-
