IRC Victims’ Rights Coalition Holds 19th Annual Memorial Vigil.
Well attended event honors victims of crimes and their families. Speakers stressed the importance of hope and victim advocacy.
Saturday morning under a beautiful sun and a cool breeze at the flag on the Memorial Island Sanctuary, the Indian River County Victims’ Rights Coalition held their 19th Annual Memorial Vigil. To honor the victims and families, the vigil featured Sheriff Eric Flowers reading the 176 names who were victims of crimes in Indian River County. Below the US Flag, which blew sturdy in a steady northwest wind, Sheriff Flowers read a name which was followed by a solemn bell ring by the Director of Victim Services for the 19th Judicial Circuit Court, Barbara Faulkner.
After all of the victims were honored, Angela Kenny sang a special song of Hope written by herself to honor the families present who have experienced the lost of a loved one to violent crime or preventable violent accidents like drunk driving. Lyrics encouraged attendees. “Without hope there is no faith, without faith you can't believe. So if anybody's giving out hope, open your heart and just receive. Now the past is all behind you, let go of all the pain. The future is in front of you, only the memories remain,” sang, Mrs. Kenny.
Following Mrs. Kenny was Duke Scales performing Taps on the trumpet in the morning light over the monument field of names planted in the ground by volunteers. There was also a full display of pictures of Indian River loved ones who were honored.
The ceremony featured speakers who encouraged with words of hope and continued support for victims’ rights. The Keynote Speaker was Fellsmere Chief of Police, Keith Touchberry, who was introduced by his longtime friend and professional colleague, Vero Beach Chief of Police, David E. Currey. Chief Touchberry thankfully embraced Chief Currey for the personal introduction.
In his opening remarks he acknowledged the goodness of seeing “so many people gathered here to support, remember and honor not just the Lost, but the Living as well.”
Chief Touchberry elaborated on the three themes. “what does support look like?”, he asked. Acknowledging the plight of all victims, Chief Touchberry said, “by learning the best ways to show our care, compassion and how best to support as we acknowledge that justice is different for everyone.”
He continued on with the themes of Remembrance and Honor. “Anytime a loved one is on our mind and we can share those thoughts with others in that moment of time,” he encouraged. “Honor begins with improving how we support the victims of crime,” he said adding with the close,”Ultimately we honor all victims when we recognize how desensitized we have become towards violence, how far many have gotten from God, and how we, as Americans, must do everything in our power to come together in our communities to prevent violence towards others.”
The vigil was led by Coalition member, Paul Zelno, who’s wife was killed in Vero Beach by a drunk driver in 2007. “Our calling is to higher level of duty to the family we lost,” shared Zelno. He recognized audience member, Doris Tropf, who lost her 19 year-old daughter to a drunk driver in 1981. Tropf petitioned the state legislature and organized with mothers across the state of Florida to get drunk drivers off the road. It was the forefront of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Zelno stated, “With the efforts from mothers in other states, the death toll for drunk driving went from 29,000 in 1982 to 9,000 where it remains today.”
Zelno also cited examples of change in laws and awareness by recounting the story of Adam Walsh. “At the time of his kidnapping and murder there didn’t exist National register for missing and exploited children. Adams father, John [Walsh] made numerous trips to Washington… testifying for stricter enforcement.” said Zelno. He shared how since Adam Walsh Act for Missing Children was passed there have been 39,000 investigations and 5500 arrests making a huge difference.
In closing the ceremony, Vero Beach Mayor, John Cotugno addressed the audience. In a moving story of a friend who lost a family member to violent crime, Mayor Cotugno shared, without notes, how Chief Currey not only kept his friend informed of the investigation, but went beyond with visits of unique concern on a personal level. “Whether through volunteering with victim services organizations, offering emotional support, or helping them navigate the legal process, we can make a tangible difference in the lives of those effected by crime,” remarked Mayor Cotugno. He added, “Let’s foster a culture of empathy and understanding … By creating a supportive environment where victims feel heard and valued, we can help them rebuild their lives.”
At the end, members of the Indian River Sheriff’s Office - Victims Services Unit came forward to share that a new facility was opened in their department to address the need for the type of help as expressed in the Mayor’s testimony about Chief Currey. Their department opened a room away from the investigative side that is important to victims’ cases. It was described as a “family room” where victims’ family members can come and share in a relaxed environment with counselors, staff or volunteers. A place to open their hearts and receive Hope to carry-on in the midst of devastating personal tragedy.
A safe place to rebuild belief. Saturday’s ceremony expressed that immeasurable resolve.
