Sad ending to saga of missing Illinois brothers

I departed from my Lincoln blog mission in early March to write one blog post which was not Lincoln-related. Two brothers from a small Central Illinois town were missing when their father failed to return them after their weekend visit with him.

I’ve seen the power of social media to spread news far and wide. I hoped that maybe someone somewhere would see these little guys and we could help get them back home to their mom.

Unfortunately, the story didn’t end that way. Late yesterday, the bodies of Duncan and Jack Connolly and their father, Michael, were found in a rural area in Putnam County, Ill. If you printed a poster and put it up somewhere or said a prayer for the boys, thank you. I’m sure their family appreciates it.

No comments please
I will not post any comments on my blog about this tragedy. I never post any comments without moderating them, and I just don’t have the time to moderate the many comments that might come in. However, if you wish, please continue to keep the boys’ mother, family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.

My sympathy
To the family, I extend my sincere sympathy. You’ll continue to be in my prayers.

Help find missing brothers from Land of Lincoln

--Updated March 30, 2009*

I vowed when I started this blog that everything I wrote would have a connection to Lincoln and I've always found one. Today, however, I think it's important to share something else from the daily news.

A little more than a week ago in Central Illinois, a father failed to return his sons to their mother after his weekend visitation. The father, Michael Connolly, and his sons, Duncan, 9, and Jack, 7, are still missing, and there is great concern about their safety. Law enforcement officials suggest that people preparing to go on spring break print fliers to distribute across the country during their travels.

Visitors to this blog live in all 50 states and almost 30 countries in five continents. Just think how you could help spread the word, too. If you'd like to print fliers to post in your area, you may download them from a link in an article in The Pantagraph, a Bloomington (Ill.) newspaper. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could help bring Duncan and Jack back home?

* The bodies of Duncan, Jack and their father were found March 29, 2009 in rural Putnam County (Ill.). My sympathy to their family. The comments feature is not available for this story. Please, just keep their loved ones in your prayers.