Hundreds Gather at LPGE High School to Give Bennett One More Mile

The unthinkable happened last week in Long Prairie when it was discovered that Barry and Carol Bennett had been killed in their own home.

They were both prominent members of the community, active in the church, and Barry was the physical education teacher at Long Prairie Grey Eagle High School. Famous for his "Mile Wednesdays" where he would have students run the mile test outside around the school.

On Wednesday August 28th, hundreds of previous students, and members of the community gathered at the starting line of that mile track to give Bennett one more mile in memory of both him and Carol.

Father Doug Liebsch started off the evening with a prayer, and shared some fond memories of Barry Bennett as a coach. Then the mile started. Many people ran it as they did in high school, but mostly people walked. People caught up with friends they hadn't seen in forever, reminisced about running the route in high school, shared memories of the people we lost, hugged, cried, and most importantly showed they were there for each other.

Their were also bracelets and key chains being sold at places around town this week that said, "Be Like Bennett" and "Spread Kindness" as a reminder to live by the example this family set.

The little town of Long Prairie came together in midst of something terrible, but it just shows how strong we all can be when we support and love each other.