Children’s Memorial Is Place for Remembrance and Healing
The annual ceremony is when parents and family return to the Edgartown Lighthouse to remember their children.
The annual ceremony is when parents and family return to the Edgartown Lighthouse to remember their children.
Families approach the lighthouse for the ceremony.
Families approach the lighthouse for the ceremony.
Rick Harrington first conceived the children’s memorial after his teenage son was killed in a vehicle accident in 1995.
Rick Harrington first conceived the children’s memorial after his teenage son was killed in a vehicle accident in 1995.
Seasonal decorations surround the cobblestones.
Seasonal decorations surround the cobblestones.
Families return every year to pay respects.
Families return every year to pay respects.
There are over 1,000 cobblestones honoring children.
There are over 1,000 cobblestones honoring children.
Child's name is highlighted with Sharpie.
Child's name is highlighted with Sharpie.
Heather Seger welcomed the newly grieving families to a group that has grown over the years.
Heather Seger welcomed the newly grieving families to a group that has grown over the years.
Jeremy Berline played soothing jazz music.
Jeremy Berline played soothing jazz music.
A moment of silence.
A moment of silence.
Flowers are placed with prayers.
Flowers are placed with prayers.
Beautiful September skies helped ease a poignant day with strong emotions.
Beautiful September skies helped ease a poignant day with strong emotions.
Rick Harrington thanked everyone for coming.
Rick Harrington thanked everyone for coming.
The memorial’s simplicity is a comfort in itself, with no dates to underscore the loss of lives.
The memorial’s simplicity is a comfort in itself, with no dates to underscore the loss of lives.
This year’s ceremony of remembrance marked 23 years since the children’s memorial opened in 2001.
This year’s ceremony of remembrance marked 23 years since the children’s memorial opened in 2001.
Blue September sky stretched wide over the Edgartown Lighthouse Saturday, where families gathered for the 23rd annual Ceremony of Remembrance.
Twenty-six new stones were added since last year's gathering, each honoring a child whose life ended too soon.
The memorial at the base of the lighthouse now holds 1,090 cobblestones.