Memorial Day Events in
the United States and Canada
Austin, Texas
At 6:58 a.m. House the Homeless congregated on the shore of Town
Lake to sing, to pray, to cry and to remember the men and women
who passed away on the streets. The service in its tenth year
honors the 62 men and women who died in 2002.
Richard Troxell, president of House the Homeless, wrote, "We
think it‚s incredibly important that once a year, we take
stock of what‚s going on, of who‚s died, and make
it public. To us every one person who has died on their streets
without friends or family is too much."
Bosie, Idaho Eight homeless men passed away in
Boise during the year 2002; however, Fran Matthews, a case manager
with El-Ada Community Action Agency, was sure to read each name
and to make a personal remark about each individual. The service
was both a memorial and an opportunity for citizens to donate
warm clothing and bedding for those in great need.
"Each man was a skilled worker. Some were college-educated;
some were veterans. They all spent a lot of time helping each
other. They were very special."
Boston, Massachusetts On Beacon Hill, 183 cardboard tombstones
lined the lawns in honor of the men and women who died over the
previous 12 months. Surrounding the tombs homeless people, social
workers and others both mourned and protested the Legislature‚s
budget cuts.
"Standing before the cardboard tombstones, 62 year-old W.R.
Durant, who has been homeless for the past six years, brushed
aside his dreadlocks and read a poem he wrote that began:
Streets, avenues, terraces, lanes
Under Bridges, in churches, hallways, it‚s all the same.
There were many times they stayed out in the rain
Some even managed to smile and hide the pain.‚" (Boston
Globe, May 23, 2002)
Clarion, Mississippi Several of Clarion‚s service and health-care
organizations gathered together to honor the 8 people that died
while living on the streets in 2002. Governor Musgrove issued
a proclamation calling for cooperative action and community-based
responsibility, and asked all citizens to help provide shelter
and to feed the hungry.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida In an effort to bring a focus to the
street and to those who live without homes, Broward County homeless
outreach organizations gathered and marched in honor of the 43
homeless people who passed away while living without a home. Walking
at night with only flashlights, hundreds of people displayed solidarity
and a willingness to show their support for the homeless.
Greensboro, North Carolina
On December 19, 2002 the Greensboro Homeless Prevention Group
gathered to honor the year‚s deceased with a candlelight
vigil, light folk music, a supper of bread and soup. In addition,
the group read a prayer asking for forgiveness for those who had
forgotten the homeless
Las Vegas, Nevada
Every year, Southern Nevada Homeless Coalition reads the names
of all deceased. This past year, 40 names were read in memoriam
at a number of religious institutions; as Shawna Parker wrote,
"it‚s very helpful ad touching because people can identify
with Malcolm Smith, age 69 who died on January 4 of hypothermia.‚"
Marion, Florida Honoring both the lives and spirits of homeless
people, the United Way sponsored a small ceremony with the planting
of a new tree and "Santa‚s Holiday on Ice" for
homeless children. In an effort to celebrate both lives and life,
people were encouraged to honor both the deceased and to enjoy
the energy of companionship.
Minneapolis, Minnesota Mourning the deaths, but celebrating the
lives of the 94 people who passed away during 2002, hundreds of
people lined the pews of Simpson United Methodist Church. As they
entered the Church, people carried large white placards, emblazoned
with names written with black marker, crayons and paint, and taped
them to the walls of the Church as a reminder during the service.
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