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.
