Waukesha community members gathered at Grede Park on Nov. 21 to pay tribute to the victims of the 2021 Christmas Parade tragedy, marking the third anniversary of the day that left a permanent scar on their memories and hearts. According to CBS58, a permanent memorial featuring six concrete ribbons coming together to form a large heart was unveiled, honoring the six lives lost on that fateful day.
The memorial's dedication included moments of reflection, tears, and also smiles as members of the community sought closure and a way to commemorate the lives of the deceased. Marshall Sorenson, who lost his mother Virginia "Ginny" Sorenson in the attack told CBS58, "We have days that are rough. But we get through it and remember the good times. And this is a place where we can do that." At precisely 4:39 p.m., the time when the tragedy unfolded, the community held a moment of honor for the victims.
Adding to the voice of collective remembrance, Taylor Kulich, daughter of victim Jane Kulich, expressed the community's need for a site of collective memory, stating, "Everyone who lost their life that day deserves to be remembered as we no longer have the gift of their presence -- their families who have to live without them, everyone who survived that day and lives with the scars surgeries and memories," in an interview with WISN. Furthermore, the Wisconsin Governor, Tony Evers acknowledged the day by ordering flags to fly at half-staff and mentioning during the dedication, "Waukesha and Wisconsin remember, and we remain Waukesha strong, and this memorial is a tribute to the community's strength."
The unveiling of this long-anticipated memorial crowns three years of mourning and healing following what was a dark day for so many. It serves as a physical representation of the six whose lives were cut short: Tamara Durand, 52; Wilhelm Hospel, 81; Jane Kulich, 52; Leanna Owen, 71; Virginia Sorenson, 79; and Jackson Sparks, 8. As the community moves forward, the memorial in Grede Park will stand as a testament to the lives lived and will continue, to support the healing process.
