Vigil honors fallen

By TIM PRESTON - The Independent

GRAYSON May 05, 2008 11:40 pm

— Surrounded by a small crowd of some of the only people who have any hope of understanding their circumstances, survivors gathered Monday evening in Grayson to remember those they’ve lost.
Most sat together in small groups, holding one another often during the Parents of Murdered Children Memorial Service at New Beginnings Assembly of God Church.
Families openly sobbed and often quietly gasped for breath as they saw familiar smiles captured in school portraits and family-album snapshots projected to the rear of the church stage. From time to time, some would offer a pat on the shoulder or an unspoken message of encouragement to a stranger sitting nearby.
Despite the abundance of bitter tears, it was an evening of song, dance, prayer and understanding.
“I’ve noticed the ones who have loved and lost the most have to be the ones that show strength,” said Pastor Kyle Burchett, praising those in the audience for providing strength to others.
“There are not many who can understand something was ripped from you that cannot be replaced,” he continued. “But you are not alone. There are thousands of people across the country who know what it is to stand over the grave of a loved one. You honor this house and you honor this community with your strength.”
Their strength was evident as the audience watched Kentucky State Police Detective Jim Goble and Trooper 1st Class Elliott Gollihue solemnly unveil hundreds of names engraved upon the National Organization of Parents of Murdered Children’s Murder Wall, along with the date of birth and death for each victim.
Members of the Kilgore Methodist Church Choir provided inspirational songs during the ceremony, as well as vocalists Debbie Hale, Kim Abbott and John Stevens. Myron Hogan worked to complete a rendition of “Glenni’s Song,” which he wrote for murder victim Glenni Campbell, before he was overcome with emotion.
Organizer Ann Bauers advocated harsher punishment for those who commit violent crimes.
“Yes, I say more prisons. Add on. Build more. Fill them up,” Bauers said. She advocates those convicted in cases similar to one in Carter County last May should be put to death.
“Give them the needle. I’ll help. I could do an injection,” she said as several nearby nodded in agreement. “I wouldn’t lose any sleep.”
John W. Gillis, director of the Justice Department’s Office for Victims of Crime, provided the evening’s keynote address. In a surprisingly soft voice, the former Los Angeles police officer and parent of a daughter who was murdered in 1979 acknowledged each family present “for your loss and courage.”
While honored to speak, Gillis said he is saddened by the ongoing needs of “one of the most under-served groups in our society, crime victims.” Gillis cited a variety of challenges, from mental to financial, the survivors of violent crime must deal with every day.
Noting the more than 4,500 U.S. troops who have been killed since the beginning of the war on terror, Gillis said, “There is another form of terrorism we don’t talk about,” noting the more than 98,000 murder victims since 2001.
Offering encouragement, Gillis said 2007 “was a landmark year for crime victims” with regard to legislation on their behalf.
“We have accomplished much and we can look forward to more,” Gillis said, encouraging the families to continue working for state versions of federal programs that have already been approved to guarantee legal rights for crime victims.
TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2651.