On November 21, the third anniversary of the day that permanently damaged their hearts and memories, residents of the Waukesha community came together in Grede Park to honor the victims of the 2021 Christmas Parade disaster. A permanent memorial honoring the six lives lost on that sad day was erected, according to CBS58. It has six concrete ribbons joining to form a big heart.
As the community looked for closure and a means to honor the lives of the departed, there were moments of introspection, tears, and smiles during the memorial’s dedication. “We have days that are rough,” Marshall Sorenson, who lost his mother Virginia “Ginny” Sorenson in the attack, told CBS58. However, we overcome it and recall the enjoyable moments. And we are able to accomplish that here.” The community honored the victims with a moment of honor at exactly 4:39 p.m., the time the tragedy occurred.
“Everyone who lost their life that day deserves to be remembered as we no longer have the gift of their presence — their families who have to live without them, everyone who survived that day and lives with the scars surgeries and memories,” said Taylor Kulich, daughter of victim Jane Kulich, in an interview with WISN, adding to the voice of collective remembrance. Additionally, during the ceremony, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers recognized the day by directing the flags to fly at half-staff and said, “Waukesha and Wisconsin remember, and we remain Waukesha strong, and this memorial is a tribute to the community’s strength.”
This much awaited memorial’s unveiling caps off three years of grieving and recovery after what was a terrible day for many. The six whose lives were cut short—Jane Kulich, 52; Tamara Durand, 52; Wilhelm Hospel, 81; Leanna Owen, 71; Virginia Sorenson, 79; and Jackson Sparks, 8—are physically represented by it. The memorial in Grede Park will continue to support the healing process as the community goes forward, serving as a testament to the lives lived.
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!
Leave a Reply