Sikh Memorial: 'Their Death Isn't In Vain'

The caskets came in one by one.

In a mostly empty gym, before thousands of people would file in, members of the Sikh community brought in the bodies of Prakash Singh, Sita Singh, Ranjit Singh, Satwant Singh Kaleka, Paramjit Kaur and Suveg Singh.

Six trips into the gym and back out. Each one only underscored the magnitude of the mass shooting Sunday at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin. 

On Friday morning inside the gymnasium, family members and friends remembered the victims' lives while people from around the world came to pay their respects.

Mourners began lining up outside the high school just after 8 a.m. and made their way through the gymnasium throughout the 90-minute service, with the gym not able to hold everyone at once.

"They died in a place where God could take them," said a family member of Suveg Singh. "Their death isn't in vain."

They talked of Satwant Singh Kaleka, who came to America with $100 in his pocket but successfully built the temple from the ground up.

They spoke of Prakash Singh, who only recently was reunited with his wife and children from India.

And of Paramjit Kaur, a loving mother who always put others before herself.

Selflessness, in fact, is a common thread among all six who perished at the temple.

What is not common, and not discussed, was thoughts of revenge.

Quoting Jesus, Pardeep Kaleka said, "We must not fight hate with hate."

Holder noted immigrants' long history in the United States, particularly the upcoming 100th anniversary of the first gurdwara (Sikh place of worship) in the country. 

But he also said that violence against Sikhs has become too common in recent years. Everyone must ask themselves, Holder said: "What kind of a nation do we want to have?"

"Last Sunday morning, this community witnessed the very worst of humankind," Holder said. "But for every minute, every hour, and every day since then, you have exemplified and you have inspired the very best in who we are."

Walker added: "No matter what country your ancestors came from, no matter where you worship ... as Americans, we are one. And when you attack one of us, you attack all of us."