Wisconsin gurdwara holds first Sunday service since attack

More than 100 people gathered at the gurdwara, which saw the killing of six Sikhs by a white supremacist, for the first Sunday service since the tragedy as members chanted hymns and prayers for the victims.

Members of the Sikh community prayed for the six worshippers who were killed in the shootout inside the gurdwara last Sunday.

They also prayed for the quick recovery of the three individuals who were injured in the tragic incident including the police officer who fought the neo-nazi gunman.

Wade Michael Page, 40, an ex-army veteran, went on a shooting spree killing six Sikhs and injuring three others, including a police officer, at the gurdwara here last Sunday before dying of a self-inflicted gun shot wound.

Those attending the Sunday service said the ceremony today involved cleaning up the pole which had a flag on top.

The flag was to be raised from half mast back to full mast.

Today's service included devotional hymns and prayers and the closing of the Sikh holy book.

The holy book has been read in its entirety over the past three days.

Women sang hymns as a group lowered a flag pole outside the gurdwara here.

The pole which was covered with orange cloth was first removed by about 50 men and boys. Thereafter the pole was washed with water and milk.

The pole was finally wrapped with a new orange cloth.

The gurdwara was opened for the public on Friday, six days after the deadly shooting with over 100 community members returning to clean it ahead of the funeral for the victims.

Members on Friday had decided that a lone bullet hole in a metal door frame at the gurdwara, where the six Sikhs were gunned down by the neo-nazi man, will remain there as a poignant reminder of the tragedy.

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