Fort Pierce, Florida

Getting from Tampa to Fort Pierce on time was quite the feat!!
Teresa Holiday hosted the event in memory of her late husband Nick who had been missing for two months in early 2010. She did a wonderful job. She spoke with a shaky yet determined voice.. She's one of us now.. It's been over a year since her husband was recovered but once you join our group you become a lifer. She organized the event to bring awareness to other missing persons in her area. As she invited each family to come up and speak she seemed to know instantly whether she should remain next to them for support or whether they would be OK to speak alone.
Emillie Hoyt was 23 years old when she went missing from Highland Beach in 2006. Her family lives out of state which makes things that much more difficult. They were unable to attend and sent a letter that Teresa read. Emillie was living with a boyfriend when her family stopped receiving phone calls from her...the boyfriend told them that he had kicked her out. When her family called the police they refused to take a missing persons report. They told her family that there was no evidence that she was missing. It was years before they agreed to list her as missing. It really makes you wonder how many cases like that are out there? How many people disappear without anyone noticing?
Richard Borrack, 77, went missing from Jensen Beach in July 2010. He had taken off his GPS tracking device and walked out of the assisted living facility that he resided in. He suffers from short term memory loss and had done this before. Previous to this time though, he had always been quickly located. His daughters attended the rally to spread the word about his case. They appeared "fresh".
A friend of Kelly Rothwell was at the event. We had just left Kelly's rally that morning. Also, the brother of Gail Palmgren, who we had attended a rally for days earlier in Tennessee.
Donajean, Dori Ann Myers sister also spoke. Dori was 43 years old when she opened her home to what she thought were two military men in need of a warm bed. She went missing in 2006 from Vero Beach. Her home had been set on fire and gutted. Hr car was eventually found 80 miles away, also burned. I've been familiar with this case since Matt went missing, which sometimes seems like a lifetime ago. It's been too long not to have answers, to not know what happened to someone you love..to live day in and day out waiting...
Tony DiFrancesco pleaded with the crowd for any information about his missing brother Patrick. Patrick went missing in 1985 from Fort Pierce. He was 24 years old. Tony feels that there are people out there who know where his brother is buried. This is an old case with a chance for resolution after 25 years. CUE is currently involved in an ongoing forensic dig. Tony seemed "fresh", at first I didn't understand...it's been 26 years...but I guess that with the chance of finding him so close at hand, old wounds have been reopened.
The program ended with the crowd casting flowers into the Intercoastal. I felt overwhelmed leaving. There was a lot packed into this stop. This is my backyard...my mom came to show her support. I was glad she got to witness a snapshot of what I've been doing over the last week. I didn't get to spend much time with her but I had warned her that it would be like that...chop, chop....off to Jacksonville....
Elisa

Road Tour Rookie

As the tour rounds the corner to the finale, it's a bittersweet feeling. I'm glad I'm going to see Scott waiting there for me and the rest of the family when I return home. Could I have went on for another week, without a doubt "YES"! The experience has been inspiring, emotional and unforgettable. At every stop I was amazed at the time and efforts of the family and friends, so much work, to bring light to their missing loved one. You witness their strong side for a brief moment before they start to speak or hold a poster of their missing loved one. It's been an honor to be part of this,somehing I will carry with me the rest of my life, hoping to take this adventure, journey again. To the National Road Tour Crew of 2011, Monica, Harlen, Kenny, and Elisa, thank you for the friendship, love and all the fun. I love you all!!!
Angie

Tampa, Florida

Hello Florida! The rally stop for Kelly Rothwell was held on the Courtney Campbell Causeway. The water made for a beautiful backdrop. Kelly has been missing since March 2011. A fresh case..the raw emotions of her friends was clearly evident in all the speeches, in the music..Kelly's best friend Donna arranged for a butterfly release. Another first on this tour. Watching the butterflies leaving the containers lightened the mood, laughter permeated the crowd. Some of the butterflies refused to leave the group landing on us for long periods of time, having to be encouraged to take flight. Afterwards, flowers were tossed over the rocks and into the water.
The closeness between Monica and this case was evident. CUE has been hard at work to bring Kelly home.Hopefully before this group learns the ropes as well as others...before it becomes a cold case..It was one of those days when we did not have a moment to spare. Our itinerary allowed no leeway but it was still difficult to leave.
Elisa

Road Tour Rookie

As we have stopped at Rally's in so many different states, I've seen how easy it is for a missing persons case to fall between the cracks, to be only spoken about between family and friends. So many families of a missing loved one hearing of the Rally Stop, show up clutching their missing loved ones picture close to their hearts, hoping for help. It's getting easier to pick them out without seeing their picture, it's the look of help, the standing off to the side as if waiting for someone to notice and make the first move. They look so helpless,lost, scared. They need help but their voices aren't loud enough, their fight not strong enough. You notice a change in them, the longer they listen to other stories, they don't seen as scared, it's as if you lost your voice but it's returned. One by one they filter closer to the strong ones and before we pull away heading to our next stop, they've spoke in front of a crowd about their loved one, they seem taller, stronger, ready to fight for their missing loved one. I ask myself over and over, especially when it's a child around my children's age or my grandchildren, could I be strong, could I move forward, would I be able to fight to get the much needed help and answers I deserve? Would I be like some who just sit there in a daze unable to do anything, I can't answer those questions. I don't think anyone can that has not walked the path of having a missing loved one.
Angie

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

As we drove to Louisiana I asked Monica why she had picked Troy Marks to be the "honoree" of this year's tour, and while the answer made perfect sense...she picked a case that she felt needed the most media exposure..it wasn't the answer I was expecting. My logical side thought it would be logistics, the middle of the route; and my emotional side thought it would be a family that had most touched her heart. But it was Monica and this is an awareness tour.

Troy's boys were full of smiles and waiting for us in the parking lot. They seemed so grown up (they looked to be about 8 and 10), as they led us into the church. A projector was playing images of the Marks' family. There were assembled missing persons posters, and a table dedicated to photos and albums of Troy. A lot of people were there, I was taken back by the amount of children. Ashley, Troy's wife, came over wanting Road Tour T Shirts for her boys and herself. They immediately changed into them before the rally began. Ashley ran what seemed to be a very thought out and organized program. As she spoke of her husband, her family's journey, one that began with her husband's disappearance in 2006, you could see how far she had come. She spoke of no longer running every time the phone rings or rushing to return every missed call. She spoke of attempting to make a life for her boys, with her boys, one devoid of their much loved father. Troy Jr rose to speak. He told about how his friends talk about their fathers. When he is asked, "What is your dad like", he can only say that he doesn't know..Ashley then introduced the the families of 2 other local missing persons. We heard the stories of Shane Fell, a 36 year old man who disappeared in June 2011, and Sylviane Lozado, a foreign language teacher who vanished in July 2011. Sylviane's husband has taken her toddler and left the country. The difference between Ashley's composure and the others was apparent. Fresh vs longterm... A process no family should live through...As the program ended we were led outside for a balloon release. It was then that I realized that a lot of the children present were student's from the school Sylviane taught at.
Along with the balloons were Chinese lanterns. The area quickly filled with many attempting to light these. Watching as each one rose and flew away, the flames visible underneath, was exceptionally moving. We attempted a group picture on the a bridge, but I could not capture such a large group in one shot one my cell camera.
As I went back into the church to pack up I came across 4 individuals gathered on the stage, a photo album of Troy opened up in front of them. They were quietly sitting around, reminiscing, telling stories about Troy and sharing memories. They were smiling...
As we were leaving Troy's two sons presented Monica with a gift basket of Baton Rouge delicacies. Once again exhibiting a maturity beyond their years. As they posed for one last picture, in front of our banner on our tour bus, they all pointed to a picture of Troy and posed for the camera. At one point as we were snapping their images Troy Jr said, "Please take another one, I wasn't smiling yet"....
And this family's missing loved one is somehow less worthy of our attention..?...
Elisa

Vidor Rally Stop

I was excited to come to this rally stop as I love seeing my longtime friend DeDe, she has know me and everyone at the CUE Center for many years and has always provided us with her support but most importantly her prayers. You see she is one of those people you meet and her devotion to the cause is crystal clear, love. I appreciate that in her, and if no one else ever does, I know that lady prays for me, no doubt in that ever! Her stop was nothing short of amazing...all the press was there to aid in getting our message out about the missing, law officials in full color, the mayor, a pastor sent up prayer and if you were of another faith, that was okay, she had a priest there to take up the rear. A law officer shared a touching story of a long time missing teen, her mother was on hand to witness the facts and to support the police and our efforts, it was really nice. DeDe presented me with a certificate and shared kind words, I will cherish it all. I was so proud of her stop...she wanted everything just right and it showed, she also sometimes is a little protective of me and worries about me...lol, so she packed us up enough food and goodies to take with us, we did not have to stop for lunch that day..it was greatly needed too as our timed tour schedule does not always allow us to stop and eat between stops. We had a good visit, that's how she makes you feel, like you came to visit her, even though I may not say it enough, I admire her work and her love for Christ. As we let go of the balloons I thought to myself this will be a great day, it started
off with a sense of peace, I felt hopeful.
Monica

Hudson Rally Stop

We arrived in the dark to the stop for Hope Meeks, kind of fitting for a case left in the dark for so long, I think we need a new tip, I know she has great law officials on her case...but we all need a break. We have searched for her recently and I find myself reflecting on that a lot. The chapter domestic violence organization was there in support, the Towns Mayor, etc. It was simple but heart felt. We brought light to the night by our candle light...I found the chapter was very informative and were good speakers, you see it is domestic violence month and they are on their own campaign for awareness as well, so I felt we helped with getting their message out this year. It really was then that I realized several female cases we were featuring on this years tour were victims of domestic violence, sometimes I wonder later when the tour is over if God did not have a hand in the route and case line to even better help, who could know. I always find myself feeling protective over Hopes case and loved ones as they do not live where she became missing and sometimes the distance makes a case even more of a struggle. Hopes family relies on us and investigators heavily to keep this case moving and out front. The thing that resonates most in this case to me is how each generation of a missing person grows up with long term cases and the next generation without knowing is being prepared to take the journey over to find their missing loved one, it should not be this way.
Monica

Vidor, Texas

We pull up to the Clairhorne Park pavilion and once again are confronted with the posters of the missing. This rally, organized by America's Missing, Abducted and Lost Persons, was in honor of Kimberly Langwell. Kimberly was a 34 year old mother who disappeared in 1999. There was a lot of press there and various law enforcement. One told us an interesting story about a woman who was there with us on that day. She had a 14 year old daughter who had gone missing 20 years ago. A suspected runaway, she garnered no real attention. Why wouldn't they look for her? Even if she did run away she was still 14 years old. How was she going to care for herself? Why is this OK? 20 years later they found out that she had run off with an older man, had his child, and was dead by the age of 17. The story, as I perceive it, was that the man said that she was violent and attacked her. He spent 5 years in prison on a charge related to her death. 20 years waiting...
There is a positive side to the story, the mother has been in contact with her granddaughter and is hopeful for a relationship with her. Of course, she could have raised her, spent the last 17-20 years with her....
Elisa

Hudson, Texas

The rally stop for Hope Meek was held outside a Fire Rescue Station in a small town in Texas. This is not where she went missing from, but where her extended family resides. Hope was 25 years old with three small children when she vanished from her home in Valliant Oklahoma in 2002. Her vehicle, cell, keys, and prescription glasses were still in the home. She was missing five days before the police were contacted.
So there we were nine years later with her family who not only need answers about her disappearance but have also been denied contact with her children who were six and under when Hope went missing.
It seems...When we see children of the missing yearning for their missing parents it breaks our hearts, but this other side happens frequently. Family members of the missing denied contact by the custodial parent. Often there's conflict...Allegations...Suspicions...But..Those children are being denied access to the people who knew their missing parent best...who loved them most....Another thing to ponder..What are they being told? Do they believe left behind? That they were walked out on? Do they know how much they were loved? They have not only lost that parent but an entire side to their family..
The candlelight service was especially moving in the darkness. Hope's family included many children, each of whom wanted a candle to hold for their aunt. As they gathered around our banner for the family picture the candles illuminated all their faces. It's one of my favorite pictures from the tour. As everyone took off we stayed behind longer than usual. The next day was to be a travel day and for once we weren't in any particular rush. I sense this must be an old case for Monica. I can see the bond between her and Hope's sister who stayed behind, alone, to talk. She's studying domestic violence investigations now...She has a purpose beyond finding out what happened to Hope.
Elisa

Killeen Rally Stop

Coming into the parking lot of the church where Ben Lund's parents and love ones await I find myself feeling a little discouraged; see Ben has been featured on our national tour two years ago and he is still missing, time has dragged on for this family and I have lived it along side of them. He is so young, their love is so transparent to any stranger, for me I feel it right to my core. Beth aches for her son and Craig stands like a guardsman in wait and protecting her, most days holding her up. I think people should not have to suffer like this dammit. So I go in and it is always great to see our families...it was a awesome tribute to Ben and while their I get a sense their will not be another tour, I think maybe it will be his turn next to be found, I was feeling hopeful. Their were prayers sent up, I have to admit on this tour we have been prayed for in every states and by every faith on earth, I am thinking God has to be having a miracle heading our way soon, I will wait! I tell you all this as people need to stop always saying I will pray for you or the famous..you are in our prayers, if more really did pray a lot more things in life would be evident of it. It is time to leave now and that is always hard, you wait for the right moment when your departure will be less noticeable, yea that never happens either...so you fight back tears because you are the strength for these families of coarse, you are the advocate, right? Pulling out we have a beep and quick wave, I saw a half worried smile come across their faces...I carried that image with me for over four hundred miles..
Monica

Killeen, Texas

As we pulled up to the church for Benjamin Lund's rally I realized how anxious I was about this stop. You see, Ben was 19 years old when he went missing in July 2005. Matt was three weeks shy of his nineteenth birthday when he disappeared in November 2005. As heartbreaking as all these cases are, we are all touched more by certain cases. And as we discuss them, we've realized that we are each touched differently, most likely because of our unique life experiences. Missing young adult males will always make my heart ache just a little more. I wonder..Where would I be today if Matt was still missing?
Anyone who knew me then knows that I had a strong belief that Mathew was no longer with us...Actually, I told anyone who would listen where he was...he was in the Griffin canal..However, there was always a small chance that I was wrong, and without proof I had to always consider other possibilities. Seeing Ben's age progression photos, listening to his parents talk about how that had changed how they scan a crowd when they look for him....I thought for maybe the first time...What would Mathew have looked like today? If he was still missing would I still be following every red Ford F-150? How would my family have dealt with it for six years, we only waited six months for answers...ONLY? No, it was forever to us...
Elisa

Mesquite, Texas

The morning fog set the mood as we arrived at the rally stop for Lisa Stone. Hundreds of missing persons flyers hung on clotheslines surrounding a lake in a quiet peaceful park. The visual just took my breath away. Lisa's friends and the For the Love of Lisa Organization presented a very meaningful program. Sonny Franks, a local artist, I believe, sang the song "For the Love of Lisa"..that he had written for her. He told the crowd that all the proceeds would go to the cause. Speeches were given, tears were shed. Another stop in another town on our tour. NO. Each stop, each group of loved ones is different. Each has a different effect on me. There's a common thread, for sure, a bond that I will always have with those who have experienced having someone they love vanish. Every stop for me is like...I would compare it to meeting a relative for the first time..I've never met you before, but I know you, you are in my heart. At times when I see someone grieving, crying, tearing up, or just obviously in pain I just want to run up and envelope them. Comfort them, tell them it will be OK..But I can't, because it won't...you can offer hugs, a shoulder, an ear, support..But you can never take away their pain.
I got way off point there. I usually end with my thoughts...at a lot of stops people will show up who have a missing loved one. People not associated with CUE. Maybe they heard about it from the press, or saw a flyer. They are compelled to come. They show up clutching pictures, information on their missing loved one. I watch time and again as the rally hosts welcome them. Call them up during the program so that they too can share. This happened again at Lisa's stop. Two women carrying a picture and information on Brenda Oliver, a 55 year old woman who has been missing since July of 2008. They had read about the rally in the paper, gathered up their stuff and came down in the hope of getting some help. You could see how important it was to them...so we leave Mesquite adding another family to our fold..a group that continues to grow each day...a group no one would ever choose to join.
Elisa

I just read Monica's post. We usually write very differently...maybe we are spending to much time together....

Mesquite Rally Stop

Woke up to a heavy fog set in the area and while driving to the rally stop for Lisa Stone. I could only think...this resembles a lot of her case, her friends were left in a fog along with all who knew and loved her. Rightly so, we worked our way through the fog to only find a lake plastered with lines roped from tree to tree housing hundreds of missing person cases not solved. I had to catch my breath, what a statement and to think those featured were only from Texas? Our nation of missing and murdered victims left to suffer the loss of a loved one grows in number each day, sadly it is the same folks affected by this crime that attempt to actively do something about it and walk the fight. I look at each face staring back at me on the posters, they are loved, needed, they all have a story - will the world ever hear each story of a missing individual? I have to wonder for a moment, even though I already know that answer and then a maddening fear for a moment rises up, and someone yells out, where's the tape...it breaks my current thoughts and I am once again okay and back on track. When I spoke to supporters there I am strong, I know theses stories and I share them, and the same fight and often. One good feeling I did experience while at this stop was the awesome and dedicated friends Lisa has...wow it tells me a lot about what kind of person she is for sure. I leave this stop not feeling badly because I know her troop is there for her and like me will never give up.
Monica

Mineral Wells Rally Stop

Well we are almost to our half way point in this years tour and I have much reflection of so many different events already held, Shonda is different. See I am reminded of a few other teen mothers who in the past that I have searched for and it ended tragically as I know hers will too...we have been searching for her, for her family and most of all for her toddler son left behind. Shonda's abduction has hit her loved ones and wholesome community hard, it has left officials stumped in the search as well. I have grown very close to all of her loved ones and visiting her rally stop is like coming home in a sense to me; I know deep down for them it is more, more of an assurance I have not left them abandoned in their darkest time. So many were in attendance, holding hands, crying, laughing out of fear of crying and their in a distance her mom and dad, privately praying inside to God, you can almost hear their pleas by looking at them. This is where my heart aches, I look down and away, not in shame by no means but to avoid a connecting glance with her parents. See those are the looks I share way to often with families who suffer a missing loved one...on this day I broke away, a lot of people think it does not affect me. I leave tonight with a heavier burden then when I arrived, but it is all part of a well known path of my journey I am on.
Monica

Awesome Road Tour Crew 2011

Photos

www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=210199319050629&18b14c7a38

Some of our photos are posted at that address.

Greenville Rally Stop

Coming into the small town of where Sarah Kinslow disappeared from was sad, such a small town so I know what that means, small resources. Her family has endured so much, recently her father was hospitalized and under went a major heart operation..but that did not stop their rally stop. You see many will never understand how families cannot let go and in my opinion they never should be told too. Her mom, Louise will be her voice until a resolution is brought forth, one way or another. We spent time talking something most do not do anymore in these times...on the front porch of Sarah's house, reminded me of being at my grandmothers home, just a simple wood framed home, swings on the porch, kids laughter, makes me wonder why such a good family has to go through over ten years of the unknown. They make their calls and offer An understanding concern when they are told nothing new in your case, when is it enough, I think to myself, deep down I feel most families are just to nice...as an advocate you must be respectable however the fight for victims to be heard is vital to each investigation, at all cost. Your love one is missing, then fight to win...I leave knowing I will have to teach them that tool for their case.
Monica

Mineral Wells Texas

Krishonda Townsend disappeared July 4, 2010. She was 19 years old and left behind a young son. The candlelight vigil held by her family was at a pavilion in a park. Entering the area we were welcomed by a large Road Tour banner, and a band playing Christian Rock music. The crowd was large, full of extended family, friends and many children. Not one speaker survived their speech without breaking down into tears,including the Pastor from her church. We listened to many wonderful stories about this young woman who has seemingly vanished just short of her twentieth birthday. Her mother spoke of her courage after being burned in a fire. In the hospital whenever she had to go through a debriding she would quietly sing Jesus Loves Me to herself and it would help to ease the pain. Her mother then asked us all to join her in the song in the hopes that it would reach Krishonda....or Shonda, as her family calls her. The candles were lit and handed out. They were also placed all around her photographs illuminating them in the darkness with a starry glow.I found myself watching her son, he must of been about 3 years of age..what could he possibly remember about a mother who has been gone fifteen months now? I am sure he hears her name every day, I'm sure he knows who she is, but...does he have any real memories? Of his own..or only those created by the stories that he has been told....
Elisa

Road Tour Rookie

As we go from stop to stop on The National Road Tour, you have cases that for me have stood out more than others, not that any case is less important. I've had 2 of these, the first being on Saturday nite. Tabitha Franklin, missing 2 years, mother of 3 inspiring children. So much love for their mom, everything they did that nite from singing, to reading a letter to mom, to running around with friends, I could see the love. As I watched the 3 of them standing together my imagination got the best of me. I could see them standing at a picture window waiting on mom to come to pick them up for a visit. I can hear Dawson saying mom will be here in 15 minutes, to Hannah. Saying mom's late, to Gavin patiently waiting saying she'll be here. I can see them not moving from this window, talking between themselves, where is she, is she coming, did she forget. I still can see them standing there after 2 years, watching for mom to pull up but now they're not smiling, they're crying tears for their missing mom, tears of why and tears of not understanding. How you wish you could take the tears and pain away now, but as we all know it takes the public's tips, the searching and that one person who knows what happened and where she is to come forward....

Then our first stop on Sunday in Greenville Texas for Sarah Kinslow, missing for 10 years, gone, vanished at the age of 14. I have an overwhelming feeling as we pull onto the street Sarah grew up on, balloons, banner, pictures, and I can't get this feeling to settle. I see her mother, and it's like I'm drawn to her, needing to hear every word she speaks, from this is my daughter Rebecca, to telling her granddaughter Harmony not to run in and out of the house. There's a presence there, almost as saying to me she's here, Sarah. I snap a picture during prayer of Sarah's mom, sister, and the niece she is yet to meet, I see the hurt of the not knowing in their faces, the look of help me please. As the yellow and purple balloons are released, I finally feel a sense of relief, not knowing why until someone points out a purple balloon stuck in a tree, could it be the balloon represented that Sarah is there....
Angie

Greenville Texas

We awoke Sunday morning in Memphis Tennessee at dawn. It was a quiet drive through 3 or 4 states into Texas. We were tired, but also individually lost in thought. I think some of the rallies were beginning to take a toll on us...
Our first stop was at the home of the family of Sarah Kinslow who disappeared on May 21, 2001. A cold case in desperate need of renewed attention. She was 14 years old when she went missing. A DVD sat in the middle of a table playing images of her and her information, it was surrounded by photographs of her childhood and all the newspaper clippings of her story. Age progression pictures showed what she may look like now, what her family hopes she looks like now...
I immediately noticed that she was born in the same year as Mathew. She should be 25, Mathew's birthday is fast approaching....Mathew is forever gone...Sarah has been gone for 10 years, but...is she gone forever?.....
Elisa

Cullman Rally Stop

We left the mountains of tennesse heading into our stop for Tabitha Franklin in Alabama which experiencing another time change issue which we mis-calculated..we were late, I think in the eight years that may have happened just a few times, we were trying to get there as fast as we could. Driving in a large park with a lot of water and a peaceful setting that welcomes families from the area, it was nice. We were greeted before we could get out of the vehicle by several, with huges and well wishes, all ready to forgive our tardiness. See we really hoped the press would turn out to tell her story in a big and reach further out to someone who may know something more. Their were tons of supporters, children of all ages, a stage that many spoke from and sang from, beautiful balloons and every place you looked was a picture of Tabitha, they did an awesome job putting together her stop with fine tuning of every detail. Sadly all the press were on bigger things to report such as a nearby ball game, whatever, they all had excuses, I felt so horrible for this family, her children who beg for every little story that may list their mom; no they will cover maybe a search...we all know why, that would be in hopes something or someone is found then they got a story, but not a missing woman, her life, and all those who ache for her. It is not the fault of the press but those who tune in, people create ratings and sadly the missing sometime do not stack up on ratings and therefore are not covered. I sit amazed all the time in one case that will get hundreds of hours but then hundreds never heard of, hence why the tour travels each year to get the word out. You see I know the cries of these families left behind and see the suffering behind the scenes, they lay in wait for someone to help them, someone to tell their story.
Monica

Cullman, Alabama

Tabitha Franklin was 28 years old when she disappeared August 13, 2009. The rally stop we attended for her last night was held at a pavilion in a park. It was a large group of extended family and friends that included many children. Moving speeches about both Tabitha and her being missing were given by her sister, a State Senator, law enforcement and Monica. Tabatha's daughter performed a song (after a little coaxing from the audience) in a clear and meaningful voice, which was followed by both of her brothers reading letters written to their mother. They exhibited such courage for 9, 11, and 13 years of age. You could stand back and watch them gathering their strength, their resolve... This was their time to speak out and tell the community how much they loved and missed their mother....they want her back...they need to be heard.
We had been late arriving, something we strive hard to not have occur..we were so sorry and apologetic but were greeted with smiles...no problem...just glad you are here..they were so excited to host us and the rally. To be doing something...you could see all the thought and planning that went into this event...this chance to maybe, possibly, reach someone with information on Tabitha.
It was an exceptionally emotional event for all of them and also for us, just heart wrenching. Tabitha...her family calls her Tabby needs to be found. Her family needs answers, her children should not have to growup without knowing what happened to their mother....
Elisa

Road Tour Rookie

I'm a newbie to the road tour, a first timer...we've made 6 stops as of now on the tour with each one bringing out a different emotion in me. It's hard to stay strong when you see a mother, wife, daughter, son, father talk about their missing loved ones with eyes so teared and voices trembling. I can't hug them and say I understand your pain, I don't because I've never had a missing loved one, but my heart aches right along with every sob, prayer, words of come home, we love you, we're searching for you, and the most often heard we'll never give up. It's an experience as bad as it sounds, yet, I wouldn't miss it, it gives me the strength and courage to push forward to be there to help the families in any way I can.
I've also seen a different side to Monica, from Monica The Searcher. I see even more compassion and the want from her to bring all the missing home to their families...her extended family. I thank Monica for giving me the opportunity to come along on this journey to get these cases the much needed attention they deserve.
Angie

Signal Mountain Rally Stop

It was one stop we were stressing to get to as we hit a time change and were afraid of not being on time, the first time change in the tour makes everyone question...are we on time? Coming in through the tall mountains everyone enjoyed the scenery, but not for me, I see so much different Terran all the time, also I know this would be a case CUE will soon be searching on soon after the tour. I paid extra attention of the surroundings and how levels were rising as well as vegetation growth, My immediate thoughts to myself are sadness, she has so many people who love and miss her, but more over the case is not that old. The cases of those missing in the first year, well let's just say the families pain is raw and the levels of frustration are at an all high; this is where families need extra guidance in their case, their journey of the unknown fate of a missing loved one. So the rally stop was filled with everything making a large statement, such as...big clusters of balloons, large pictures of Gail, missing person pictures from across the state strung up on a long line as if it screams, we are hanging out tennessee's little secret of those missing, food and goodies everywhere but most importantly the main attraction, a table over flowing with momentos of Gail, her life and photo after photo of a woman who seemed to be okay, content with life. What really happened to Gail, this is not known yet, but rumors are well on that mountain top, an mind you we listen as each opinion it is vital to this case and needs to be heard, really in any case? I have to hold on to my experience at this point to not get side tracked and that is doing what I can to aid the case and investigators. Lots of caring folk were there including law officials and it was clear they were excited we were coming, everyone was great. My main thought as we were leaving was not a goodbye but I will be back. Monica

Winston Salem Rally Stop

Arrived to the home of Dedrick Smith's family...an African American who rarely gets attention to his case, just a reminder of "if your not white and pretty and missing, well...enough said", I hear it daily and sadly have experienced it for 17 years. You see the world makes up what is marketable, we are all guilty of it at one time or another, for me I make it a point to always face that reality head on! I do NOT play a part to it, I have chosen to help change That in life and have to believe in some small way it helps. God forbid you are a male, handicapped, ugly, not have citizenship, have a drug issue or get this, be an adult? Then it becomes almost impossible to get the press to cover your disappearance, why? Well, because YOU are not marketable...so, my point is do not complain unless you stand up and take part to change it. You do not get that right. So, we embrace all in attendance and listen to a wonderful song sung by a local pastor...he was amazing, straight from the heart, southern hard tortured black struggling gospel, I love that type of singing, it was definitely received. Dedrick's mom did a great job with the table, balloons and words spoken. This family walks the walk of what a christain is and it is clear they just really love everyone, no matter what...you cannot help to love them back, just cause. For me it is more though because I was the first one there for them when their loved one got missing, and over the years have grown to share in their pain and have respect and love for them all. I left knowing one thing for sure is that Dedrick would always be a black adult male who is missing and we will always have to work harder on his case just because of our worlds criteria, and I get mad all over again.
Monica

North Wilkesboro Rally Stop

Arriving was like coming home to the family of Jeffrey Combs, there was Lucie waiting to give her hug; a hug that is always so tight as if she never wants to let you go but I know more, it is really her just hanging on tight for life. See Lucie cries each time we come to search for her son and then again when we leave with no recovery, she does not do it to make us feel bad it is just her release. I really love her - she is a person who will never give up and even that she does not know it, inspires me. Then you do not have to look far and see the sample pain in Trish Bakers eyes knowing exactly what this mother of a missing son is going through..holding her up with great strength nearby, her husband Dwayne and his best friend Jerry, of coarse and the Baker Bash Crew made up of family and long time friends. They did an awesome job with the visuals and invites to get people their to support our efforts and the family of missing Jeffrey Combs, to include law officials. Lucie spoke from her heart, old timer mountain singing that was great and then the prayer and candle lighting...this is where it becomes silent and the pain of a missing or murdered loved one re visits everyone there and shows it's ugly face, always a dreaded time for some, but a much needed action to provide healing...you can only heal by facing your grief and pushing past the pain. We decide to stay longer and go to a late dinner, see we all hate to leave "family" and no one wants to say
goodbye first...because we all know that feeling of feeling alone until the next time...and no one wants to have to return back to the reality that most do not care unless it directly affects them. At the departure...no one ever mentions it, but those broken only feel complete and strong when surrounded by other who have helped in being the glue.
Monica

Signal Mountain, Tn

We left NC early this morning in order to be in Signal Mountain to meet up with the friends of Gail Palmgren, 44, a mother of 2, who went missing April 30, 2011. This being a "fresh" case emotions were running exceptionally high. I thought it was awesome that this rally had been arranged by her best friend who lives out of state. 3 clotheslines hung with flyers of the 127 people who are missing from the state of Tennessee. It made quite a visible statement. I watched as everyone who arrived stopped and spent time looking at all the flyers. One thing that moved me was the amount of people who came out to support Gail, even though there were no family members present, and it had been arranged long distance. The media coverage and amount of law enforcement present was impressive.
Sometimes anger engulfs us when we feel we are not getting the things we want done accomplished. Sometimes our emotions work in our favor...squeaky wheel...and sometimes it doesn't...irrational. But it is an individual path and only those of us who have had the experience of having a missing love one know how many forks can occur in the road. In the end, though, we pick our direction...the right direction...because this is our journey....
Elisa

Reflections From The Bus

While sitting in the back seat of the bus I started thinking back to how far I've come and all I've been through over the last 6 years. At our first stop yesterday I met up with the family of Delwin Locklear. I have known some members of this family since my first conference in '07 when Matt was still missing. We rode together (on a bus) to our first candlelight vigil. You can never forget your first unveiling of the wall of the missing... Now here we are all these years later and Delwin is still missing.... His mom is still stuck in that place..of not knowing...of needing answers...
Yet, we always manage to have a good time when we are together...I think that's what has kept me sane throughout this experience...this journey...whether it's Monica getting us lost in a motel parking lot or Harlan threatening to leave me by the side of the road in Texas, there is always a lot of laughter and that somehow manages to balance out the sadness...
Elisa

Raeford Rally Stop

Upon entering the stop for Roger a feeling of sadness is strong as this family is on high emotion, still " what we call fresh"' see just a little over a year he became missing; all of the family are now in phase one...lost, not on familiar ground and wearing TORN on their faces...that's the worst for me as an advocate, getting them through the torn part. This is also the phase in a case where you see other families of the missing move into protective mode over the fresh/newbie families, this is also where you see small miracles of trust develop and Bonding occur. Still no place any of us ever want to be! It was heart wrenching to listen as each family member expressed their individual pain as you could measure each loss on that
Level as well. Again, another departure feeling accomplished that our family master their first public event, speaking out, standing up and for their absent loved one. As we pull out into traffic, I think the sad and worst thing at the moment is that life still has to go on.
Monica

Lumberton Rally Stop

So many of the little things that happen in ones life of a missing person can someone like me appreciate, Delwins mom stood before a crowd and spoke with strength about her son for the first time in seven years...normally when searches take place and or events she is not far from being on the floor, so broker, so much hurt, so much lost felt...not today! Somewhat a victory for me as her advocate I was like a proud mother watching her knowing the most how far she has come. A moment in my life I will smile when, I pull that memory for years to come. It was nice to see families bond and even laugh out loud, makes me chuckle inside of coarse in silence. This tour is like watching life in slow motion and at certain times, when not looking it bites you hard, so bitter at times one could scream, and normally they do. Never thought when I was a child I would be here standing in a street fight for those who have lost so much, it is definitely something unless experienced, no human could imagine.
Monica

North Wilkesboro NC

Tonight we ended our first day on the road with a candlelight vigil held in honor of Jeffrey Combs, who went missing on October 24,2008. Another heart wrenching anniversary is just days away for this family. Jeffrey's family and friends came out in full force to support him. The many mementos on display included items that he had made ....beautiful jewelry armoires from matchsticks, and purses and photo frames made from gum wrappers. There also were many cards displayed that Jeffrey had given to his mother...Mother's Day, Birthday, Valentines Day....She has obviously always cherished all these cards and gifts, but I'm sure that they are even more precious to her now....I saw a shoebox made into a money collection box covered in newspaper clippings of his disappearance. Some of the headlines included "Please help me find my son", "Mother seeks closure after son vanishes", and "I just want to bury my son". I can remember similar headlines in Matt's case and how happy I was to get coverage...A family quartet led the gathered in a series of inspirational songs. As we finish up for today one thing becomes clearer and clearer to me....the hope that can so easily be inspired by just one short visit. Just having an event held in honor of their missing loved one invokes so much gratitude....
Elisa

Winston Salem NC

The third stop on the first day of the On The Road To Remember tour brought us to Winston Salem and the family of Dedrick Smith. Derrick was 26 years old when he went missing on Oct 3, 2006. His smiling face stared out at me from all the many photos....Trophies were arranged with care...And his high school yearbook (1998) held a prominent place on the table besides the colorful balloons waiting to be released. The family pastor sang a hymn especially for Dedrick's mother which immediately brought tears to her eyes...I quickly realized that the fifth anniversary of her son's disappearance had just passed. Once again, I was brought back to the hope a missing child's mother experiences anytime there is any interest in her child's cold case. We, the parents of the missing welcome any publicity.....
Elisa

Raeford NC

Our second stop of the day was raw with emotion. We pulled up to a yard full of extended family members gathered around a table loaded with photos and mementos of Roger Jermaine Chambers, who has been missing since September 4, 2010. The family was united in their desire and need for answers. Many gave moving speeches. Roger's daughter's powerful speech touched on all the things he had missed this past year as she grows up, and how her hopes are that he will be at her graduation. His mom passionately spoke that he was born from her and that she would not be whole until he was found....this speech was particularly moving for me... His wife informed the crowd that yesterday had been his birthday and asked us to join her in singing Hapy Birthday to him. The gold and blue star balloons that we released each had his information attached. As they flew higher and higher I could hear family members discussing which way they were going and where they might land.

Lumberton NC

We just left our first stop. The families of Delwin Locklear, Jessica Lowery, and Ricky Bethea did an awesome job. Thank you! Hopefully the media coverage will generate some new leads. On the road now to Raeford.
Elisa

October 21, 2011 Friday

Well it's about that time and in just a few hours the national tour for missing persons will set out to travel across seven states feautring cold cases of the missing and unsolved homicides. It is now in wee hours of the morning, everyone is asleep..I think! I think about all the families we will see for the next eight days, the tears we will share and the re newed hope we will take part in with hundreds across the country. Say a prayer as we strive to bring awareness of the silent crime of the missing.
Monica 3:06 am