Family members participate in annual Walk to Remember

See the Gallery (4 images) Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer 2 Juan Barrot holding a balloon with the name of his daughter, Estrella, disappeared shortly after she was born in 2006. Rods was one of dozens who took part in 3° annual walk to remember the service on Saturday, held at the chapel on the link Lester. Lightbox Lightbox Camp Lightbox link link

CAMP LESTER, Okinawa — dozens of relatives gathered at the base Chapel Saturday night for the third annual Walk to Remember.

The walk takes place every year as a way of healing and remembrance for parents who have lost their children during pregnancy or shortly after childbirth.

In the past, participants walked to the dam and then released balloons with the names of their children. But inclement weather this year has led to the cancellation of the walk, and the balloons were released outside the chapel after the parents wrote names, thoughts and prayers on them.

"Memorial services like this are great," said Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer 2 Juan Barrot, who lost a daughter soon after birth in 2006. "In the past would visit the grave of his birthday, but of course we can do it here, so we'll continue to come to this every year while here on Okinawa".

During the service, were lit candles, were read poems and prayers were said.

"We want this event to parents who have experienced a loss, can remember their loved ones are gone, but they are not forgotten," said the chaplain Lieutenant Commander Samuel e. Ravelo. "Parents have the opportunity to meet others that passed through and experienced similar losses to them."

For more information about the walk to remember or perinatal support group, which meets on the last Friday of each month, contact Lt. Chantel Hurwitz at angelbabies.okinawa@gmail.com, or visit their Facebook page by searching for "Angel babies Okinawa."

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