- November 23, 2024
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The list of names being read out loud was long, and a harrowing reminder of the tragedies that happen even within the Port Orange community.
Those names being read belonged to people who were victims to murder, DUI, suicide and sudden death. Many of their loved ones were present as the list was read during a special ceremony to remember those individuals.
The National Day of Remembrance Ceremony, held on Thursday, Dec. 14, was for those victims as well as the survivors and a way to provide support and comfort to their families and friends. The event was presented by Halifax Health - Hospice Traumatic Loss Program and the Victims’ Services Coalition of the 7th Judicial Circuit.
Some attendees brought in small unframed photos of their loved ones that were placed on a Wall of Remembrance for the ceremony. Others decorated commemorative rocks that would be added to a Healing Hearts River of Rocks path at the Halifax Health – Hospice Port Orange Care Center.
The annual ceremony had originally been scheduled for September, but Hurricane Irma forced organizers to push the event back to December, according to Kimberly Beck-Frate, President of Victim Services Coalition of the 7th Judicial Circuit and Halifax Health Hospice Traumatic Loss Program developer.
"The importance is because of all the mass violence and shootings and everything this year, it just keeps compounding," Beck-Frate said. "People really need an outlet and a place to feel safe to be able to remember their loved ones and hopefully foster some healing and connection between them."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that every year 199,800 people die from injuries and violence in the U.S. The CDC also reported that from 1999 through 2014, suicide rates increased for both males and females and for all ages 10 through 74.
The names were read by several different individuals, including Halifax Health President and CEO Jeff Feasel, Port Orange Police Chief Thomas Grimaldi and Mary Jo Allen, executive director of Halifax Health Hospice.
"These people want to hear their loved one's name and know that they're real, they're still with us and that they mean something to the community," Allen said. "It's simple but really powerful."
As the names were read Jim Sawgrass, of Deep Forest Historical Native American Programs, played a quiet song on the flute. And while many words were spoken that evening, Flagler Police Chief Matt Doughney summed up what many people and organized have worked for both in and outside the community:
"Hopefully the next time we have an event like this we don't have as many names."
