‘Remember ME’ event at Union University honors homicide, violence victims
JACKSON, Tenn. — The entire Union University community has a day dedicated for friends and families to remember the lives of their loved ones.
Remember ME is an annual, commemorative event for survivors of homicide and violent loss to honor their loved ones.
The special occasion is a time about remembering the victims and families and give hope, encourage, and support those who are grieving an unimaginable loss. Guests were provided with dinner, live entertainment from union’s musical group voices of proclamation, and heard District attorney Jody Pickens as the speaker of the evening.
The entire night is a reflection of support and celebrates their resilience through the journey.
“It’s a really intentional space that we want to provide because a lot of time it’s the name of a person who may have caused that tragedy to happen that is often seen–the one we see on trial and other things. We often time forget the victims and we forget their names, so tonight really is about remembering those lives that have still left quite a mark of significance in those that are surviving that loss,” said Meghan Larson, professor with Union University.
Many friends and families gathered at Union University to remember the lives of loved ones gone too soon. Officials guide the families down a candle lit path, and then balloons are released at the end of the ceremony.
“Those holding candles tonight are witnesses for those that are walking in memory of their loved ones who we call survivors because they are walking a journey of resilience through their grief. We really want the witnesses that are holding the candles to notice, see, and acknowledge the pain and grief that others are going through,” said Larson.
Many participants share a common belief that there is no expiration date on grief.
The program ends with an escort from southside high school navy juniors reserve training corps and the liberty tech high school air force juniors reserve training corps followed by the ringing of the union bell tower, a candlelit ceremony and balloon release around the great lawn on campus.
“We want to say their name in recognition of how we remembered them,” said Larson.
Families can get involved simply by attending the walk.
If you’re looking to get involved at union, they kick off their 27th annual scholarship banquet Tuesday, november 4th at 5:45 featuring world renowned Christian artist Steven Curtis Chapman.
For more news in the Jackson area, click here.
