Governor and First Lady Host "Tennessee Season to Remember"

NASHVILLE- Governor Phil Bredesen and First Lady Andrea Conte hosted families from across Tennessee this evening for “A Tennessee Season to Remember,” an annual holiday memorial event to honor Tennesseans who have lost their lives to violent crimes.

 

“This event of remembrance is an opportunity for families to honor their loved ones and join together with others to celebrate the lives of all homicide victims,” Conte said. “The holidays can be a sad reminder of those who cannot be here, and I hope these families draw a sense of peace from the ceremony.”

 

The families gathered at the State Capitol in Nashville to hear the names of their loved ones read as they hung ornaments on two memorial wreaths. The wreaths will be on display in the Capitol throughout the holiday season.

 

“The wreaths that bear these ornaments of remembrance for homicide victims will remind everyone who visits the Capitol this season of the lives that are missed and honored by tonight’s event,” said Bredesen.

 

Special guest Terry Blakley, professor at Union University, shared her experience of losing her husband to homicide, and how she used her grief to create family support groups for others who have survived homicide victims. In addition to the individual Tennesseans gathering to remember their loved ones, representatives from Tennessee’s Judicial Districts hung ornaments in remembrance of the victims they have represented, and law enforcement officials paid special homage to comrades from across the state killed this year in the line of service. Vanderbilt University’s All-Women A Capella Group also provided a musical performance in memoriam of victims of violent crime.

 

“A Season to Remember” was first organized by individuals in Davidson County as a holiday memorial for the surviving family members of victims of homicide. When Bredesen was mayor of Nashville, the event was moved from the Metro Court House to Centennial Park to accommodate the large crowds. In November 2003, Bredesen and Conte established a statewide “Tennessee Season to Remember,” inviting families from across the state to join them at the Capitol for the event.

 

 

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