Day of Remembrance for Maine murder victims

On Sept. 25, in locations throughout the country, the ninth annual National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims will be celebrated. The Maine Chapter, National Organization of Parents of Murdered Children and Other Survivors of Homicide Victims, (POMC) will commemorate the Maine Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims on Sunday, Sept. 25 from 1-3 p.m. in the Jewett Hall Auditorium at University of Maine-Augusta. This observance will pay tribute to the memory of hundreds of Maine related people who have been murdered.

Paulie Heath will lend her voice, as she graces the audience with three song selections. Guest speakers will include Maine Warden Service Chaplain and author Elizabeth Kate Braestrup. Survivors and others will again be privileged to experience the “Empty Place at The Table” memorial on display, courtesy of New Hope for Women.

According to Maine Chapter Leader Arthur Jette, of Cambridge, “When someone takes another person’s life by violence, they are saying to all of the rest of us that the victim’s life doesn’t matter. Those of us who value life know that we are all diminished in some way when anyone is murdered, because all lives matter.”

The Maine Chapter, POMC has provided support services for surviving family members of murder victims, as well as murder prevention programs for more than 26 years and maintains a permanent memorial monument in Augusta to honor Maine homicide victims.

The event is free, and open to the public. Refreshments will be served following the program. Those who have lost someone to homicide are encouraged to bring a framed, free-standing photo, and any small personal item of their loved one, for the memorial display table. For more information, or directions, call 277-3518 or 270-2999.