HEROS for Diane

First, I will say......This is my blog.....this is my opinion....this is my perspective.  I make no claim that I know all the facts or non facts as they pertain to the story I'm about to tell.  My OPINION was formed by reading newspaper articles, info on the internet and FB posts.  All of which were filled with truth, some "hear say", some non truths.  However, cuz I'm not directly involved, I could have some of it incorrect.  It is what it is....my opinion.   Guess, you can probably tell by those few words that I have something very serious to write bout.

Let me begin with, this story has a victim.  Her name is Diane Pranske.  She and I went to grade through high school together.  I remember her as a thin, blonde happy go lucky gal.  With a very contagious smile.  All of which, for me anyway.....makes the current chapter of her story so sad, maddening, frustrating, infuriating and disheartening.  And yet, so heart warming and loving.

Diane

Diane and Ted

This story has the "do gooders".  A church, whose pastor.....Mr. Veemer (won't ever call him a Pastor) was passionate bout his beliefs concerning rehabilitating convicts.  So much so that he,  his church, Oak Glenn United Reformed Church and its members participated in prison visits in the name of God.  With hopes of transforming the "bad" into "the good", so to speak.

This story has a villain, or in this case a MONSTER!  C. Clay is a multi offender and from this point forward will be addressed as "the monster".  At the time of the current crime, the monster was on parole following a 2010 conviction for armed assault.  He also, had convictions of larceny and felony firearms.  Clearly not a "minor" offender.  Clearly a very dangerous monster.

My understanding, again may not be correct.....is that in the past, this monster approached a lady and her children in a parking lot.  She was able to escape him by locking herself in her car and pulling away.  The monster followed her.  She phoned the police, who directed her to the police station.  The monster followed and was arrested.  I ask the question.....what would have happened to this lady and children had she not been able to escape??

My understanding, again may not be correct....is that in the past, this monster and a friend(s) held up a bar.  Keeping three men captive, and shooting at least one of them in the head.

This story has a hero....as a matter of fact it has a town of heroes.  Wait, NO.....it has a country of heroes.  The pictures to follow will illustrate the love and compassion for Diane's family, friends and community.....near and far.

Now to the story.

One evening in September, Diane returned home and "walked into a burglary in progress".  The monster came at her with a hammer and forced her into the trunk of her car.  He drove Diane across the state border.  To a couple of banks to make withdrawals on her cards.  He then drove to a parking lot and sexually assaulted her multiple times.  This monster then strangled our poor Diane until she passed out.  When Diane woke up she stated she, "recalled being on FIRE and walking from the scene".  YES, this monster set her on fire.  Stolen items from Diane's home were found at his home.  Once arrested the monster admitted to the crimes.  Horrible indeed.....

The Monster......C. Clay

The Monster.....making bank withdrawals while holding Diana captive

Now, if all of what this monster did to our poor Diane wasn't enough.  The information that came to light following that horrible night was the salt to the wounds of all who love Diane and to the community.  You see, the way that this monster came into the community was via the "do gooders"....Mr. Veemer and his church.  They "testified" on his behalf, that he was a changed man and should be released from prison.  They arranged for him to live in a rental home of one of the church members.  They took him around the neighborhood and introduced him as someone with a "little" troubled past. 
 
SHAME, SHAME .....Mr. Veemer

At NOOOOOOO point in time......did Veemer, his committee members, nor his church members ever WARN the community that they were moving this violent offender...... the monster into this rental.

I ask the following questions:

•  WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING???  What was Veemer, his committee and church members thinking bringing this MONSTER into the community??
• What is Veemer and the Oak Glen United Reformed Church community going to do for Diane the victim?  To date, I have not heard they have done anything but post the following statement:   

STATEMENT REGARDING RECENT EVENTS
We at Oak Glen United Reformed Church are deeply grieved for and our hearts go out to the victim, the family and loved ones affected by the recent heinous crimes of violence. In Jesus Christ, we pray to our Heavenly Father for her healing and recovery from the terrible injuries inflicted upon her. We desire and intend to reach out to her with expressions of support and care.
The man charged with these crimes is a former prisoner who, after several years of Christian discipleship and education while incarcerated, was paroled by the State of Illinois, joined our fellowship, confessed faith in Jesus Christ, and received from us benevolent assistance and pastoral care as he transitioned from prison to civilian life.
We are greatly saddened that he has been charged with actions that represent a shocking betrayal of our expressions of Christian mercy and acceptance. We pray that appropriate justice is done in this case.
Finally, we testify that Jesus Christ, who heals the afflicted and welcomes sinners, is the only remedy for man’s wickedness. We also look to him as the one who provides ultimate justice, true peace, reconciliation with God and man, and who alone can heal all wounds.
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.”        II Thessalonians 3:16

• If the monster was soooo amazing why didn't Veemer, allow him to live in a spare bedroom or next door to him? 
• Did the lady who owns the rental home get paid rent by Oak Glenn United Reformed Church?
• Did the lady, who lives in Ohio, who owns the rental home know this violent offender was her new tenant?
• Were there laws bypassed (i.e. background check) if church was listed as the "renter"?
•  How many more violent offenders have been placed in the community by Oak Glen and where are they?  What were their crimes?
• How many other churches in the USA are doing this?
• Why didn't Oak Glenn United Reformed Church choose to help the homeless, VETS, battered women, victims of crime, or even less violent offenders? 

Someone posted that the church arranged for the monster to work for a flooring company.  And that the company was hired to do the floors in Diane's home prior to the incident.  I don't know if that is true or not.  But if it is true....I ask the questions....What the HELL were you thinking Veemer and church members? Were any laws bypassed (i.e. background check for employment) in the hiring process?  Why did they (Veemer, church members) think it was acceptable to allow this violent offender to enter homes in the community?  Did Veemer or his church members allow the monster into their homes?  If I had to guess.....and I'm guessing now....not basing this next statement on ANY FACTS....but I would guess the answer to that last question is NO....HELL NO.  For they would want to keep their family safe right?

Here is an excerpt from Oak Glenn United Reformed Church's online bulletin:

The catechism season resumes on Sunday, September 13.  All catechism classes are held at Illiana Christian High School.  The classroom assignments and instructors are listed as follows:

Mr. Bob Venhuizen (5th and 6th Grade, Room 107)

Elder Pete Smith (7th and 8th Grade, Room 108)

Mr. Daniel Beezhold (9th and 10th Grade, Room 111)

Rev. Vermeer and Mr. Carleous Clay (11th and 12th Grade, Room 109)

Take note that Carleous Clay will be under the weekly tutelage of Rev Vermeer throughout the catechism year in the junior and senior catechism class, assisting him in the teaching of the course on the Belgic Confession.

Can you imagine, the church was planning to put this monster into a classroom of children??  I thank God this is not going to happen.  But,  I ask the questions.....What the HELL were you thinking?  This is a violent offender, on parole for a few months.  How many more churches in the USA are doing this?  How many violent offenders are being placed into classrooms?


Now onto the HEROS of our story.....

And then they appeared.......Purple Ribbons....near and far.....

Lansing's American Legion Riders

 The HEROS went to work on "the rock".  In front of Diane's (mine too) high school is a rock.  This rock has been painted by students in the weeee hours of the night as a right of passage.  A group of HEROS got together at The Rock on Diane's behalf:

  And then the HEROS went to work....fundraising for Diane's expenses.......

Mark Wojciechowski of Harker Heights, Texas began to make and sell jewelry.  

Here is the link to Mark's ETSY page, if you would like to check out his jewelry for Diane:

 https://www.etsy.com/listing/249503269/for-diane-charity-for-recovery

Kathy Stasko sells stickers

Karen Kijewski and Kathy Stasko sell bracelets

JJ Kelly's food booth at the Autumn Fest set up a display and collection site

LaRosa de Guadalup Bakery "baked purple" to raise funds for Diane

Up and Coming event on December 5th at Margarita's Restaurant

This is where Diane works, very sweet of them.  Last time I checked, this fundraiser raised $14k.  HEROS!

This fundraiser is up and coming at Bottoms Up on November 21st!

If you would like to help..... A GoFundMe page was set up by her loving daughter April....here is the link:

https://www.gofundme.com/LavenderRibbon

That was a small, well really a HUGE sample of the HEROS and their actions on Diane's behalf.  I know there are more loving people doing more events and sales to raise money.  Sorry, I can't list them all cuz I don't know them all.  Please forgive me for that!

Repeatedly running through my head were the above questions and how to make this a positive.  I posted my opinions and suggestions, which I'm sure were not unique to me.....on the town's FB page.  Suggesting a vigil for Diane, as well as a law.....Diane's Law....if you will.  Here is a link to the newspaper and the pics from the Vigil.  It was hosted by Rev. John Holyer and the members of Trinity Lutheran Church:

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/illinois/hundreds-attend-vigil-for-lansing-woman/article_8166d3cc-1dec-5ee6-9da4-e3d8e28d2733.html

I lost sleep over this situation.  How could this happen and most importantly.....how can I help to make sure it isn't repeated.  Hence why the blog entry.....to inform.  To encourage anyone involved with a prison outreach program, a church that has one, etc.......to please make sure you are helping to place minor offenders, with an open book policy to the community.  Let the professionals and the system handle the violent offenders.  Better yet, advocate change.....to help Vets, victims, battered women, homeless.

Well, silence has fallen on this subject in the town of Lansing.  I'm sure its due to all involved lawyering up, as expected.  I tried to go back to the FB postings on the town site, seems they have all been removed.  Not sure if due to threats of law suits or if the site manager was trying to change the subject.  Either way....the comments should NOT have been removed....FREEDOM OF SPEECH and all.

I will pray for the following:

• That our victim, Diane Panske continues to heal physically and mentally.  Hopefully, she will find comfort from the power of the healing prayers and efforts of her story's HEROS.
• That our HEROS continue their work in Diane's name.
• That a Diane's Law is written, submitted and passed. Forcing churches, organizations, etc., to give full disclosure to a community of a prisoners past.  Putting laws in place as to where parolee can live, work and play.  (a small sample of my thoughts of the Diane's Law)
• That the Oak Glenn United Reformed Church, Veemer and all involved with their efforts, continue to pay via Karma for their actions.  And, that the courts make them pay monetarily.
• That the Oak Glenn United Reformed Church, stops their prison outreach program.  Instead focusing on Vets, homeless, batter women, victims.  They can start with Diane!
• That the monster burns in HELL!  So, that he may NEVER, EVER victimize again! 

Well my friends, that ends the chapter for today.  Thank you for listening or should I say reading.  Please consider becoming one of Diane's HEROS via making a donation, buying a bracelet or buying jewelry.  As I climb off my soap box I mutter.....May Diane and her family.....live happily ever after!  Love and Blessings.....Sherry!