AUSTIN, Texas -- The widow of the disgruntled taxpayer who flew his single-engine plane into a building housing Internal Revenue Service offices says she prays for the widow and family of the man killed in the crash.
Joe Stack, 53, flew his plane into the building Feb. 18, killing himself and IRS employee Vernon Hunter, who was 68.
The Austin American-Statesmen reports that Sheryl Stack spoke publicly for the first time on Sunday at a benefit for her and her daughter, who lost their home in a fire just before the crash that federal officials have said they believe was set by Joe Stack.
At the benefit, members of the Greater Mount Zion Baptist Church, which Hunter attended, joined members of the Berkeley United Methodist Church that Stack attended. The choirs sang "Amazing Grace" together. About a dozen music groups performed for the benefit.
"My heart grieves for the loss of life caused by my husband in the tragic events of Feb. 18, 2010," Sheryl Stack said to a group of more than 150 people at the Bachus Conservatory. "My prayers are continually with the widow and family of Vernon Hunter, and I pray also for Shane Hill and all the others who were injured and/or traumatized by this catastrophe."
Hill, who suffered severe burns, was the most critically injured in the crash. A benefit for him was held Sunday at the Dallas Nite Club.
"I keep remembering things I lost in the fire, and it saddens me greatly," Stack said. "But these are just things, and what I have learned in the last two weeks is that life and love are the only things that matter."
"I am the victim of a violent crime, done by someone I loved and someone who loved me very much," she said. "I have a lot to come to terms with, dealing with that. As if that weren't enough, I am a grieving widow."
Jennifer Bourianoff, a Stack family friend who performed a few songs on her violin and helped organize the benefit, said plans are under way for another benefit for Valerie Hunter, Vernon Hunter's widow.
Outside the hall, the Rev. Gaylon Clark of Greater Mount Zion told Stack that Valerie Hunter did not attend Sunday's event because she wanted their first meeting to be in private.
"She wants you to know that she wants to meet with you away from the cameras and the crowd, but that she is ready to meet with you," Clark said.
"I'm ready for that, too," Stack replied.
Valerie Hunter on Feb. 22 filed a lawsuit against Sheryl Stack, saying Sheryl Stack should have warned others about her husband, who left behind a long Internet posting blaming the IRS for personal problems spanning decades.
Messages left with Valerie Hunter and her attorney were not immediately returned Monday.
RSS
Mobile
Daily Emails
Twitter
Facebook
