2011 National Day of Remembrance

On September 23, 2011, we honored our loved ones by hosting the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Homicide. We had over 300 people who attended and the mood of the people was lifted by the excellent speakers and the support felt by all those who attended. The keynote speaker was Attorney General John Kroger. As always, for the third time he started our program with hope and understanding. With the experience he has had in his career, all of us could feel his connection to those who have lost loved ones to homicide. Guest speakers included Clackamas County District Attorney, John Foot; President of Crime Victims United, Steve Doell and Clark County Prosecuting Attorney, Anthony Golick. Meg Garvin, Director of The National Crime Victims Law Institute, read the names of victims. Our Professional Advisor, Pat Schwiebert, rang a bell after each name was read.

Singers were Anna Marie Wood, who also sang the National Anthem, and Rev. John Schwiebert. Co-Leader, Gayle Moffitt, read "Butterflies in Flight" while Bob and Reece Elledge released butterflies.

Sgt. Brian Kelly was the piper and the presentation of the colors was presented by Sgt. Erin Smith and Officers Cris Burley, Jennifer Hertzler and Nate Shepard. Chapter Leader, Mary Elledge, introduced the speakers.

We would like to thank our supporters, including AA Rental for supplying us with 350 chairs for our event; Beavercreek Telephone Company for providing and serving the BBQ; Northwest Natural Gas for cookies and water; Clackamas Costco for the pastries; Pat and Keith Elmore for the snacks and water and the following Starbucks stores for donating coffee (Oregon City Shopping Center, Oregon City Point, Hilltop Fred Meyers). We are so grateful to the staff of Mt. View Cemetery for setting up and having the cemetery grounds so beautiful. Larry Potter is the head of cemetery operations.

We would also like to thank Maryalice Godfrey, Debbie Holfeld, Sylvia Tombleson, Renea Strong and Rhonda Elledge for helping with the running of our "Day of Remembrance." Also, a special thank you to Rich Umphress for taking photos. Most important, we would like to thank all those who attended.

Article by Mary Elledge, POMC Chapter Leader

Donations are still being accepted and greatly appreciated to help complete the memorial. Please contact the Greater Portland Area Chapter Leader, Mary Elledge, at 503-656-8039 for more information.

POMC Greater Portland Area Chapter

National Organization of Parents of Murdered Children