MAZDA ENTHUSIASTS' ONLINE FORUM
mazdamp3.com - protege5.com - msprotege.com - mazdaiii.com
Clay Higgins
[address removed]
[address removed]
To the family and friends of Eric Johnson and his passenger,
It's said that the smallest thing in common can start up a friendship between complete strangers. As more people join in, this friendship evolves from a mere friendship to a tight knit family of individuals from all walks of life. The bond that each of these men and women grow to share is a hard one to be broken. That bond has shown as we each learned of the recent tragedy of Mr. Johnson and his passenger.
Although only a handful of us have ever come in contact with Eric or his passenger, the news hit home on a community of over thirteen thousand people. A community that was brought together person by person for solely one reason; the interest in our cars, whether it be a hobby or profession. A community that now feels torn due to the loss of Eric and the injuries brought upon his passenger.
While the similarity between all of us may seem superficial or unimportant to most from first glance, it is quite the opposite. Most members in our community will never meet each other and the few that have met others, have made friends for life. However, despite that fact, we are closer than most people not in our group would even begin to understand. Where else in today's world would you find such an alliance where sex, ethnicity, background, or beliefs have no meaning? Where the only basis of that unbreakable friendship is a single common love?
Admittedly, that bond is often overlooked when we're caught up in the common name calling, fighting, and general drama that occurs when you do put so many people together in one place. It begins to feel as though it's every person for them self. That is, until a very unfortunate incident like this occurs. Then you feel that we are not simply each person for their own, we are an entire team that cares for everyone in that team. More importantly, we are a family. We are one.
Being a part of this community is a great learning experience, and we have certainly listened and learned when the news of this tragedy was discovered. While most people think that groups like ours would support or promote street racing, we certainly do not. Regardless of if what happened was right or wrong, the result has affected our family in indescribable ways. We can only imagine what the friends and family of those involved must be going through if we are feeling the way we feel without even knowing him personally.
For that reasoning is why we've sent this letter. Each one of us would like it to be known that Eric, his passenger, his family and friends are in our prayers. Our community has been greatly affected by the loss and while we cannot do anything to change the past, we can do much to change the future. We are certain that this even will deter others from following the same steps. We are also certain that the younger members of our community have listened and learned from this event, and will be in a more mature mindset than before, should similar situations arise.
From each one of us in the Mazda community, our thoughts go out to each one of you and we pray for only the best. Those thoughts will be with you not only today and tomorrow but every day in the future. We will always have a place for Eric, his passenger, and the family and friends thereof in not only the entire community, but in each of our hearts. We cannot express enough how much we feel this loss; however, we can work to change the future for every one in our family so this loss may be the only one and never duplicated.
From everyone in the Mazda enthusiast family, we wish you well in this extremely trying time and would like you to know if you need anything at all, you may contact us. Again, most of us may not have personally known Eric or his passenger, however, the bond we share has been extended to you and your family. Our family is here for yours should you need us.
Wishing Godspeed to Eric, his passenger, family and friends thereof:
Code:
Clay H. (TX) Mindy (TX) Ahmad (TX)
Jeff (FL) Craig (NH) Corwin (FL)
Marc (MD) Bryan (IL) Patrick (TX)
Matt (IL) Jen (NY) Jack (QC)
Bryan (MI) Nate (CA) Kyle (VA)
Justin B. (NC) Michael (FL) Justin H. (LA)
Mark (MA) Justin F. (NJ) Santiago S (VA)
Nate P. (MD) Shane K. (LA) Andre (NB)
Amy (KY) Tyler (VA) Patrick (MI)
Francesco (NY) Chris (FL) Ryan (OK)
Eric (MI) Ben (MI) Andrea (MI)
Luke M. (GA) Johnny R. (NV) Jordan S. (AZ)
Richard M. (NC) Albert F. (CA) Steven C. (NJ)
Pete R. (NJ) Dan J. (FL) Paul (IL)
Jean (AB) Brandy (NC) Eddie (CA)
Krie (NB) Dino L. (NJ) Anthony (CA)
Eddie H. (NH) Chris (CA) Jeremy (MA)
Glen (AB) Moeed (TX) Mike (IL)
Cindy (PA) Shana K. (MD) Matt W. (WI)
Ariana (IL) Adrian (TX) Kurt (FL)
Justin G. (KY) Seth (PA) Alex (CA)
Tom (CA) Kyle H (CT) Sean J. (ID)
Brandon G. (NE) Joe (AB) Miguel (NC)
Christine R. (NC) Chris H. (MA) Drew (TX)
Daniel (TX) Brian (TX) Crystal (TX)
Nathan (OH) Sam (TX) Miller (AL)
Chris (GA) Stephen (TX) Sway (TX)
Mike (ON) Brad (GA) Jimmy (CA)
Chris (NJ) Carlos (NC) Jonathan (NC)
Eric (CA) Gary (NJ) Brian (VA)
Corey (IL) Jake (ON) Darryl (TX)
Todd (CA) Chris W (CA) Jon Jon (NV)
Stephen K. (SC) Richard (VA) Justin B. (CT)
Ken (IL) Rob (WI) Chris L. (IL)
Steve S (FL) Victor (CA) Darrick (HI)
Frank (MD) Matt W. (NY) Carlos (TX)
Patrick (KY) Mike (NJ) Eric (QC)
Dan K. (QC) Peter (FL) Patrick (VA)
Justin (VA) Oleg (MA) Michael (CA)
Alex (TX) Paul F. (TX) Jean (QC)
Dustin (MT) Jim P (AZ) Brad (FL)
Frank R. (WY) Jay (MA) Zia (NY)
Dennis (IL) Ben (VA) Kevin G. (PA)
John (MN) Albert (CA) Matt (NE)
LJ (TX) Brent B (MD) Peter Z. (CA)
Ryan (FL) Richard (FL) Chris (FL)
Matt S. (CO) James (AU) Karl (NJ)
Rodney (NJ) Jake (OH) Mike (CA)
Roman S. (PA) Karl S. (MB) Jeff (NC)
Chris K. (TX) Danny M. (GA) Matt S. (CO)
Brad G. (GA) Albert M. (CO) Arthur (IL)
Vladimir L. (OH) Jamie S. (ON) Blair S. (AB)
Chris (ON) Patrick (TN) Cary (SC)
David C. (VA) Richard K. (FL) Heidi B (NY)
Jon M. (OH) Chester W. (NY) Ronald (TX)
Allan (ON) Ryiad (TX) Dominic L. (QC)
Joe M. (QC) Rob M. (WA) Arlan T. (VA)
Cullen M. (FL) Ross (NE) Doug S. (CT)
Anna (IL) Tony (LA) Jamie (NC)
Jarrett (HI) Justin P. (NV) Alex (CA)
Jonathan (CA) Matt M. (CA) JP Salerno (CT)
Paul Y. (WA) Jose S (NJ) Mark P. (NJ)
