JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Families of missing adults will gather to remember their loved ones and to remind the public they need help finding them, Friday.
The families of missing loved ones, the John Rowan Junior Foundation and the Justice Coalition will be hosting the 4th annual Missing Adult Day in Jacksonville.
February marks 13 years since John Rowan was last seen. His mom saw a need to create missing adult day, after attending one for children, so she approached former Governor Jeb Bush about it and he dedicated this day to these families.
Friday, they'll gather at city hall for more praying and to ask for more help in finding their loved ones.
Margaret Rowan/Mother of missing man 5:51 "You do your best, but the pain never goes away. You wake up every morning and go to bed every night thinking of him, it never leaves, never never leaves," said Margaret Rowan.
Margaret Rowan's son, John, was last seen leaving his home in Jacksonville to go to work. His car was found near the Orlando airport, but never any sign of John and no one has ever been arrested. Margaret will spend this latest anniversary of his disappearance with others in our community also searching for a loved one.
"It's a nice way to socialize and share the same pain with other families. We call ourselves family because we all suffer the same loss and it never never goes away," said Margaret.
Friday afternoon, the families of local missing people like Rosemary Day, Mark Degner and Bryan Hayes will be joined by city councilmen and Sheriff John Rutherford for the annual Missing Adult Day. Large photos of each missing person will be on display as their loved ones remind people about their case, in hopes of generating any information or tip.
"Every day you hope that something will happen to find them. My wish would be just to find my son and put him in the place where he belongs just for the sake of his children," said Margaret.
The ceremony is scheduled to begin at noon in the atrium of city hall and the public is invited to attend.
The Sheriff's Office wanted to remind everyone if you have any information about missing adults in our area, call Crime Stoppers right away at 866-845-TIPS.