Photo By Khinna Kaminske | TAMC families' light individual candles in honor of loss infants in annual Walk to...... read more read more
TRIPLER ARMY MEDICAL CENTER – In observance of National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness, Tripler Army Medical Center held its 12th annual “A Walk to Remember” memorial on Oct. 20. Each October, memorial walks are held across the nation to honor the families who have lost or experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant or child loss.
Capt. Erin Fallis, certified nurse midwife, sang Wicked’s “For Good.” The lyrics, “who can say I’ve been changed for the better, but because I knew you, I have been changed,” was heard upon entering Kyser auditorium.
The remembrance service opened with a welcome from Capt. Touria Burk, labor and delivery nurse, and an invocation from Chaplain (Capt). Austin Bowler, Schofield Department Ministry and Pastoral Care. Following the invocation, TAMC's Commander, Michael D. Ronn, read the poem “Man in Grief.”
Capt. Nolan Jones, TAMC resident physician, shared his personal story of losing a child. He attended Tripler’s Walk to Remember in 2022 and returned to the Walk to Remembrance service to help others experiencing similar feelings.
“Grief can be constant. It spreads into other parts of your life, so talking about your experience, working through it, and leaning on each other [Katelyn] in times of turmoil is paramount. It is with that support of my wife, Katelyn, that I have navigated the loss of our daughter, Hazel,” Jones shared.
Katelyn Jones spoke about her journey of losing a child from a mother’s perspective. The Jones wanted to share their experience to offer others experiencing similar trials that they are not alone.
Maj. Lucy McNamee shared a story about the loss of her baby, Ollie. She described how her experience as a labor and delivery nurse and a maternal and child clinical nurse specialist gave her a different perspective when faced with her own heartache.
The ceremony closed with Capt. Molly Barnhart, labor and delivery nurse, asking the families to light their candles as the names of each of their babies were read out loud. A wave of light illuminated Kyser auditorium.
After the names were read, the attendees walked outside along the Oceanside entrance and ended their walk at TAMC's historical Remembrance Tree. Chaplain (Maj.) Jonathan Secrest, clinician chaplain, closed the ceremony with a prayer and a moment of silence.
The families were encouraged to leave their luminaries under the tree and stay for reflection. While there were hurting hearts in the room, there was a mutual admiration, love and support for one another.
The purpose of the evening was to allow a safe place for mothers, fathers, families, and friends to mourn the loss of their little ones while remembering and cherishing the time they shared.
RESOURCES
Counseling
Make an appointment with OB/GYN Health Psychologist
Support Groups
Facebook: Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Group – Oahu
Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support – TEARS Foundation
| Date Taken: | 10.21.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 12.22.2023 14:21 |
| Story ID: | 460489 |
| Location: | HONOLULU, HI, US |
| Web Views: | 44 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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