By Dan McCool
Joe Paterno passed away on Jan. 22, 2012. Next Tuesday marks the one-year anniversary since that day, and to commemorate the iconic coach, a tribute organization, Inspiration Way, will hold a candlelight vigil in Paterno’s honor.
The vigil is set to take place at 7 p.m. in front of the mural on Heister Street, where 409 candles will be lit to signify the record number of wins Paterno earned before 111 of them were vacated by the NCAA in July. Inspiration Way has asked on its Facebook event page for people to leave memories of how Paterno affected their lives or other stories, thoughts and considerations to be mentioned when each candle is lit.
Inspiration Way describes itself as a “tribute group” that is in the process of fundraising for a new sidewalk complete with personalized engraved bricks, which will be called Inspiration Way beside the Inspiration Mural on Heister Street, which was painted by Michael Pilato.
Jan. 22, both next week and for years to come, is sure to be a day of torrential emotions, reflection and perhaps questioning, as Penn State continues to move on in an era without Paterno’s omnipresence.
