By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
CASSOPOLIS - Wind-whipped blue and silver balloons fired off like line drives Wednesday noon in memory of 52 victims who lost their lives due to crime in Cass County since 1989.
About 30 people, including the parents of Matthew Anderson, killed last April, attended the annual lunchtime ceremony at the flagpole in front of the Law and Courts Building on M-62.
Inside, poster contest entries were on display.
Winners will be announced at a luncheon Friday at the Council on Aging.
State Sen. William Van Regenmorter of Ottawa County will be the keynote speaker.
April 10-16 marks the 25th anniversary of National Crime Victims' Rights Week.
Prosecutor Victor Fitz said, "Keep in mind that these are not just names on a piece of paper. Each of these names represents someone who was once flesh and blood like us, someone who had family and friends, someone who is now gone."
Bill Bruneau, Cass County Sheriff's Office chaplain, prayed, "Father, we've come here this afternoon for, as I see it, two reasons: to remember those who have suffered at the hands of someone or who died tragic deaths. We're also here to celebrate the fact that those who are standing in this circle committed their lives to making a difference.
I thank you, Father, that we can stand here this afternoon because of Christ's resurrection and say that You empower us to make a difference in our own society and in the lives of those around us in our county. You command us to reach out in love and to try, Father, try, Lord Jesus, to bring peace into some very, very difficult and, yes, even dangerous situations.
Twenty-five years ago, President Ronald W. Reagan declared the first National Crime Victims' Rights Week to pay tribute to crime victims and to recognize the devastating impact of violence on individuals, communities and our nation as a whole.
In proclaiming the first National Crime Victims' Rights Week in 1981 and then establishing the President's Task Force on Victims of Crime, Reagan stated, "Our commitment to criminal justice goes far deeper than our desire to punish the guilty or to deter those considering a lawless course. Our laws represent the collective moral voice of a free society - a voice that articulates our shared beliefs about the roles of civilized behavior. Both the observance of Crime Victims' Week and the creation of this task force are entirely consistent with principles that lie at the heart of our nation's belief in freedom under law."
This week will be observed across our nation by victims and survivors and the professionals and volunteers who assist them.
This year's theme, "Justice Isn't Served Until Crime Victims Are," emphasizes the importance of providing support and assistance to victims as a critical and core component of justice in America.
Since 1981, the field of victims' rights and services has contributed to many accomplishments that enhance individual and community safety.
Today, there are more than 10,000 justice system and community-based programs that inform and educate victims about their rights and provide supportive services to help them cope with the physical, emotional, financial and spiritual impact of crime.
More than 32,000 laws have been passed at the state and federal levels that define and protect victims' rights, including constitutional amendments in 32 states.
Comprehensive responses and programs have also been created that insure a sensitive and effective response to victims of domestic and international terrorism and mass violence.
In America today, victim service programs offer a wide range of services that include crisis intervention, counseling, safety planning and advocacy throughout the criminal or juvenile justice system; and state victim compensation programs help victims recover from the many costs associated with criminal victimization.
According to John W. Gillis, director of the Office for Victims of Crime within the Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, "Justice isn't served until crime victims are."
Sheriff Joseph M. Underwood, Jr. notes that justice is continually served in Cass County through victim assistance programs that identify and address the immediate-, short- and long-term needs of crime victims and survivors.
Here in Cass County, a number of special activities have been planned to commemorative the silver anniversary of National Crime Victims' Rights Week.
Friday, April 15, from11 a.m.-1 p.m., There will be a luncheon at the Cass County Council on Aging for poster and essay competition finalists, county dignitaries, law enforcement, victims and community members.