Virginia Beach wants to be known for its boardwalk, SEALs and strawberries ? not its tragedy

The service took place outdoors by the iconic Neptune sculpture on the resort strip at the beach that often represents the city.[Virginia Beach gunman resigned the same day as the shooting]“You look at a day like today — how beautiful the ocean is, how good God is,” said Jackie Wisman, a church member. “You don’t want people to think about Virginia Beach and think about a shooting, just like Columbine.”At the Courthouse Community United Methodist Church, less than a mile from the local government complex where the dozen were killed, Sunday was a time to try to heal.“We will not be defined by this violence,” the Rev. Beth Anderson told her 150 congregants, who, just a day earlier, were making lunch for FBI agents and technicians.Politicians spoke of resilience and healing.“I think the community is absolutely pulling together,” said Lt. Gov. “And I think you already see this community rising, not only to deal with the loss that we’ve experienced, but rising to the challenge of our time, which is preventing these kinds of mass shootings, mass tragedies.”Even as Virginia Beach vowed to persevere, some residents said it was too soon to talk of moving on.“You have to have an opportunity to grieve and to mourn,” said Jeff McWaters, a businessman and former Republican state senator from the city. Those activities should support the city’s reputation after the news of the most recent mass slaying dies down.“Until the next one,” Newallo said ruefully.The shooting will cause people to draw closer, emphasizing those local ties, predicted Susan Beni, sitting at Silver Stream, the jewelry store her husband owns on the boardwalk.She saw that kind of closeness on a happy occasion a month ago, when Virginia Beach hosted the three-day Something in the Water music festival.“That was Virginia Beach positive.