Susie Schneider comforts two of her son Aaron's classmates from Ridgeview Junior High School, who came to pay their respects at a visitation for Aaron at Pickerington High School Central Thursday, November 17. Aaron, 13, died after he was hit by a car while skateboarding on Long Road on Saturday in Pickerington. (Copyright Ken Ritchie/Eagle-Gazette)These are a few photos taken during a memorial service for 13-year-old Aaron Schneider at Pickerington High School. Aaron was riding his skateboard in the road when he was struck and killed by a car.
On October 19, 2000 my family experienced a similar loss. My brother, Adam was killed by a car while crossing the street. Adam was 14.
While covering these events are hard for me, I think that my experiences from the grieving family’s side of the situation helps me to approach the subjects with a greater desire to preserve their dignity. This does not mean shying away from the shots. It means moving slowly, being quiet and inconspicuous. It also means being gentle, NEVER pushy, to the family.
After my brother was killed, an Indianapolis television crew from a station that will remain unnamed hassled my parents several times. They banged on the door to my parent’s apartment until my teary-eyed father would finally open the door. My dad told them that he did not want to talk to the press at the time. The reporter said that he had to comment and that they were not going to leave until he did. He slammed the door in their face and did not open up again for anyone but family.
I always remember that when I am in the position of an outsider looking in on the mourners.
Before I shot a frame, I set my gear down in the corner of the gym where they were holding the service and walked in line to pay my respects to Susie Schneider, Aaron’s mother. I told her who I was and introduced our reporter. I told her that we were there to honor her son and to print a story that might affect our readers. I told her that I would be shooting photos but that my goal was to document the service, not to sensationalize her loss.
Every parent will react differently in this situation. Mrs. Schneider was warm and gracious and thanked us for coming.
Thousands of people attended the service. A stream of Aaron’s classmates, family, friends from church and a number of town’s people all moved through the line to share their condolences and tears with Mrs. Schneider, and to take a final look at Aaron, who’s casket sat enveloped in a wall of flowers at the front of the high school gymnasium.
Several televisions were set up to show a presentation of home video clips and still images that documented Aaron’s short life. As his always-smiling face beamed out to the crowd, a sea of watery eyes stared back at him.
Our job in these situations is to document the event. Hopefully our work will remind parents and children to share a few loving words to each other before heading out to school or work. Maybe a person behind the wheel of their car will drive a little more careful. We will not know the outcome of our images. But, the family will remember our actions while we make the images forever.
My mother has seldom talked about the week after my brother’s death without also cursing that television crew. Hopefully, if Mrs. Schneider remembers me at all, it will only to be to say I was kind and I was quiet.
Trumpeter Kevin Hewit, 17, of the Pickerington High School Central band, waits for his cue to play during a visitation and prayer service for 13-year-old Aaron Schneider, who died after being hit by a car while skateboarding. Schneider's trumpet was placed on a velvet pillow to reserve his seat with the band. (Copyright Ken Ritchie/Eagle-Gazette)
Aaron Schneider's friends Jessica Cobb, 14, (left) and Ashley Clay, 15, are overcome with emotion while looking at photos of Aaron on a video slide show at the visitation service for him at Pickerington High School Central Thursday, November 17. (Copyright Ken Ritchie/Eagle-Gazette)
Paul McGinnis (front) and Travis Mathes, of the Community Transition Center, carry a new flagpole into position in front of the Livingston Arms Apartments on Wednesday, November 30. The flag and pole were funded by the auxiliaries of the VFW Post 1516 in honor of the veterans that have lived, and currently are living at Livingston Arms. (Copyright Ken Ritchie/Eagle-Gazette) 
VFW Post 1516 Commander Fred Veverka clips an American flag to the new pole at the Livingston Arms Senior Living Apartments on Wednesday. (Copyright Ken Ritchie/Eagle-Gazette) 
Rita Leohner says the Pledge of Allegiance during the presentation of the new American flag and pole at the Livingston Arms Senior Living Apartments. Rita's husband Paul passed away earlier this year. He was an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II. (Copyright Ken Ritchie/Eagle-Gazette)
