Honoring memories and seeking comfort in community, families of violent crime victims gathered at the Oklahoma History Center this past weekend for the annual Tree of Honor and Remembrance ceremony. Organized by the Oklahoma District Attorneys Council, the event provided a space for individuals like Kim Tiderman-Alcorn, who tragically lost her husband, and son to impaired drivers. "In 2007 I lost my husband and my son to drunk drivers, drunk high drivers," Tiderman-Alcorn said, according to OKC FOX.
As the holiday season unfolds, the Oklahoma History Center's Christmas trees become symbolic beacons of both remembrance and the unresolved pain that holiday cheer often underscores. Families like Shanelle McHenry's, whose son was killed in a drive-by shooting, find solace in these gestures of commemoration. "I'm still trying to cope with it. You know, just taking it day by day,” said McHenry, whose struggle with grief was documented by KOCO.
Over the years, what began with a single tree has grown into an event deeply woven into the fabric of the community, where each ornament hung is a testament to lives cherished and missed. Ryan Stephenson, the assistant executive coordinator for the Oklahoma District Attorneys Council, noted the significance of this tradition in a statement given to News 9, "It was wonderful seeing everyone here today to remember their loved ones, to remember the people that they were here for, and hopefully, to remember them and all the joy that they brought."
This unity was echoed by participants like Rob Scholl who, following the death of his daughter to an impaired driver in 2021, finds purpose in advocacy and shared support. The District Attorneys Council, besides organizing events like these, also aids the survivors of violent crimes through programs like the Crime Victims Compensation program, and plans to support at least nine bills in the upcoming legislative session dedicated to the needs of victims and their families, as reported by News 9.
