Vigil Held For Young Victims Of Violence
POSTED: Monday, October 20, 2008
UPDATED: 9:43 pm EDT October 20,
2008
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The group Compassionate Families teamed up on Monday with the Jeff Mitchell Foundation for the 13th annual Remembrances candlelight vigil.
Families came together at Terry Parker High School in Arlington to honor some of the youngest lives lost in Jacksonville.
Jeff Mitchell was killed outside of Terry Parker High School 15 years ago while he was waiting for his father to pick him up. Since Mitchell's death, 181 names have been added to the memorial at Terry Parker High School's Unity Park.
Fourteen more names will added this year.
Many families were present at the vigil, including Maddie Clifton's mother. Eight-year-old Maddie was killed 10 years ago.
Lynn Green, a woman who lost her granddaughter during a home invasion a year ago, was also in attendance.
"I live this every day. I don't have to come out here and see that little square with her name on it, I live it every day. Every day we cry. We make it through everyday with God's help, but every day at some point we find ourselves crying," Green said.
The families who came together on Monday said there really is strength in numbers and being able to talk with and embrace other people who have been through similar situations.
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