Families of San Bernardino Victims Share Tears and Stories With Obama

Families of San Bernardino Victims Share Tears and Stories With Obama
President Barack Obama delivers a statement at Indian Springs High School after meeting with families affected by the shootings in San Bernardino, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 18, 2015, in San Bernardino. AP Photo/Evan Vucci
The Associated Press
Updated:

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.—At a table inside the Indian Springs High School library, Mandy Pifer sat alone, the last name of her boyfriend killed in the San Bernardino terrorist attack printed on a label in front of her.

Nearby, relatives of the 13 other people killed sat and waited anxiously. Some clutched memorial service programs with the photos and biographies of their deceased. One held the invitation to President Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration his brother-in-law had gleefully obtained.

Pifer wrote out a sign with the words, “I got you.”

When President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama entered the room and made their way from one table to the next, spending about 10 minutes with each family Friday evening, the grief, sadness and frustration of the last 17 days were firmly on display.

Some shed tears. Others asked questions. Everyone got a hug.

“It just felt like they were really present in their conversation with me,” Pifer said. “They are sick and tired of doing these things, meeting our families.”

President Barack Obama delivers a statement at Indian Springs High School after meeting with families affected by the shootings in San Bernardino, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 18, 2015, in San Bernardino. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
President Barack Obama delivers a statement at Indian Springs High School after meeting with families affected by the shootings in San Bernardino, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 18, 2015, in San Bernardino. AP Photo/Evan Vucci