Today is National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims

It is estimated that 14,249 people each year are murdered nationwide…this is 39 murders per day – and that is only the reported murders!

The National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims on September 25 came to be after the U.S. Senate unanimously passed resolutions on October 16, 2007 (S. Res. 326) and the U.S. House of Representatives on May 14, 2007 (H. Res. 223). On this day we honor the memory of victims who have been killed by violence. We also acknowledge the long-term trauma that survivors of this violence deal with every day. Survivors and co-victims include family and friends, as well as their communities…they all suffer, every single day, in their own way. For each and every victim there are many co-victims left behind, they are called the survivors.

Raising awareness can bring about positive changes for victims and survivors, that is why we must never forget the victims. Families deserve answers and everyone deserves justice.

It has been said, “Awareness is most certainly the greatest agent for change,” and that is exactly what FOHVAMP http://www.unresolvedhomicides.org is trying to accomplish…change. Not only in supporting the co-victims, but also by trying to bring about positive changes for victims and survivors, by leveling the ‘playing field’ for victims, as well as co-victims, for those families and friends left behind after a horrific murder. 

Let us NEVER forget. Please remember to read the book, “Survivors” by Dennis N. Griffin https://www.amazon.com/dp/195071201X

Since its inception, the song below, We Are the Survivors© has reached and touched so many people around the country. The song was adopted as the National theme song for Parents of Murdered Children, Inc®. and has been shared with many other support organizations as well. https://www.pomc.com/songs/new_survivor_song.mp3

Richard Wright and Kim Tewksbury were the original creators of the song, We Are the Survivors©.

We Are The Survivors 

There are those of us whose mothers have been taken from our arms,
There are those of us with children we could not keep safe from harm.
There are those of us who’ve lived to see our fathers lose their lives,
and in our dreams we’ll keep them all alive,
cause each and every one of us survives.

Chorus: 
We are the survivors, left behind to carry on.
We are the survivors, joined together we are strong.
We will speak out for our loved ones who were not given a choice.
We are the survivors, hear our voice.

Maybe some of us have brothers who were here, but now they’re gone,
You can ask about our sisters, because their memory is strong.
We are sons and we are daughters, we are husbands, we are wives,
and friends who try to keep their dreams alive,
And each and every one of us survives.

Repeat Chorus: 

Bridge:
With a part of us that never heals, and a fear of the unknown,
There’s a strength in knowing through it all, you’re not alone.
We are the survivors, hear our voice.

TUESDAY, September 25, 2018 – Today is National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims

National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims was designated by Congress to honor and remember homicide victims and the devastating impact their tragic deaths has had on their families, friends, and communities. Today we commemorate these victims through national recognition. Communities across the country gather together to pay tribute to victims whose lives were taken, support their surviving family members, share stories, pictures and memories in order to provide comfort to those who lost a loved one.

The Day of Remembrance is a special day, but it’s important to support victims and their families every day. They need to know they matter and that their loved one is not forgotten. Victims do not have enumerated rights in the U.S. Constitution nor 15 state constitutions. That’s why Marsy’s Law has significantly expanded the rights of victims in the states that have adopted this law – states that now have Marsy’s Law have added permanent protections for victims and their families – basic rights that they deserve, ensuring crime victims and their families are treated with compassion and respect by granting them rights equal to those of the accused.

Marsy’s Law was named after Dr. Nicholas’ sister, Marsalee (Marsy) Nicholas. Marsy was a University of California Santa Barbara student, who was stalked and killed by her ex-boyfriend in 1983. Only a week after Marsy was murdered, Dr. Nicholas and Marsy’s mother, walked into a grocery store after visiting her daughter’s grave and was confronted by the accused murderer. She had no idea that he had been released on bail. https://marsyslaw.us/about-marsys-law/marsys-story/ 

Please support our efforts to help raise awareness of stalking, murder and the rights of victims and their families. Whether it may be sharing your own story, simply spreading the word, or lending your support, you will be assisting these crime victims and their families. If you would like to share your story on this blog please send it as a comment or email through the contact page on the website www.morgansstalking.com

Morgan is never forgotten – we think about her every minute of every day of every week of every month of every year since her death in December of 2011….this is the same thing for every family of a murdered loved one…they never forget.