Oct 19, 2008 8:35 pm US/Central
Hundreds Come Out For Victim's Memorial Service
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
It was an emotional day at the South Shore Cultural Center, as people whose lives have been touched by violence get together to lean on one another and to celebrate the lives of loved ones. CBS 2's Mike Puccinelli reports on the story of a 19-year tradition in Cook County.
Cook County State's Attorney Dick Devine lights a remembrance candle at the 19th Annual Victim's Memorial Service.
"Symbolic of all our loved ones and their memories that will live on forever," Devine said.
The candle is for the loved ones who lost their lives due to murder and reckless homicide. Victims like Tajuan Brown shot to death seven years ago. Sunday, his mother paid tribute to her youngest child.
"He will never celebrate a birthday with me again. He will never be here with me at Christmas time," said Brown's mothers, Brenda Brown.
And neither will Anita and Kevin Green's daughter Kiana. The young mother was shot to death, just shy of her 22nd birthday.
"We just gone through this a few months ago and we're still hurting, so we are here for some help," said Anita Green.
It's help that can come by knowing that despite dispiriting loss, their spirits don't have to be broken. Elliott Cellini is proof of that. His body is battered but his will to beat the odds remains.
"I am standing here today as a testament that miracles do happen," Cellini said.
When a fleeing criminal slammed into their car, Cellini was left in a coma and his friend was killed. His memory of that friend is gone, but not his belief in the importance of memory.
"Through the remembrance and celebration of your loved one's life, I believe that emotions will be ones of joy and peace, not sadness and solitude," he said.
This year's memorial marked the final time Devine presided over the service as state's attorney. It was an emotional moment for the normally hard-nosed prosecutor.
"Thank you for the opportunity to come to know you and see what love and courage really are," Devine said.
It's courage in the face of the worst kind of loss.
Hundreds turned out for Sunday's memorial service and all CBS 2 talked to agreed that it helps with the healing process.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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