Ceremony helps survivors honor loved ones lost to violent crime

Rosa Maria Carreon sat gently rubbing an angel ornament made of lace with a picture of two people in its center during the Tree of Angels ceremony on Monday evening at the Cameron County Courthouse.

The faces of Jorge Alberto Carreon and Cynthia Carreon smiled back at her as she shed tears and waited her turn to honor them by placing the ornament on the lit Christmas tree. It was the third year that Carreon, and other people who have lost a loved one due to violent crime, were able to remember them with the ceremony.

Carreon’s son, daughter-in-law and their friend were killed when a drunk driver hit their car on March 5, 2006 near FM 802 and Dana Road, she said.

"You could say it’s like therapy," Carreon said of the ceremony. "It’s important to remember them and give support."

At the event, boxes of tissue sat at the end of each row. The pain of grief mixed with the joy of life and the holiday season.

A slideshow of those killed, featuring their pictures and names, played as the tree was decorated and a memorial candle was lit. The event was established in Austin in 1991 to recognize that the holidays are difficult time for victims and their families. Now such ceremonies take place across the state.

Cameron County District Attorney Armando Villalobos spoke to the audience, telling them he, too, was a victim of a violent crime.

He said it was hoped the ceremony could create a sense of community, while celebrating the lives of those killed. He also acknowledged the mixed emotions the holidays create for the survivors of those lost.

"All the victims are in a much better place," he said. "They’re in Heaven now."

Villalobos said the number of ornaments on the tree has increased from 60 in its first year to 123 on Monday night.

Some families who live out of state mail their ornaments to be placed on the tree, Cynthia Jilote, county crime victims assistance unit coordinator, said. The county makes an effort to include the survivors of victims who were murdered, but also others who were killed during crimes like intoxication manslaughter, Jilote said.

Correspondence to five families was returned to the office, so she encouraged those in need of assistance to keep their information current.

"We’re there to help them in any way we can," she said.

State Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr. and Cameron County Judge Carlos Cascos were absent on government business, representatives from both offices said, but they presented proclamations in honor of the day.

The state Senate proclamation honored victims of violent crime, while the county proclamation, signed by Cascos and members of Commissioners Court, called the holidays a time of hope. It stated that rights of the accused and victims are important, while the holiday season is an example of the kindness and compassion that encourages people to work towards a safer community.

Sheriff Omar Lucio was in the audience along with officers in uniform from other cities such as South Padre Island, Los Fresnos and Palm Valley and other county officials. Some of them also put ornaments on the tree.

At the start of the ceremony, Mariachi Escorpion, the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College group, brought some audience members to tears as it played the famous song "Amor Eterno," which laments the loss of a loved one.

Later, the group attempted to change the mood by playing "Feliz Navidad." The Hanna High School Jive Choir carried on the holiday season’s tidings with an upbeat closing song.

Brownsville school district counselor Rene Atkinson dedicated the tree and gave remarks about grief, encouraging survivors to remain resilient.

"Please understand grieving is not a psychological disorder," he said. "Please understand that you are not alone. We are here with you today."

He also told survivors to cope in whatever way they choose, but to ask themselves what their loved ones would have wanted and to avoid drugs and alcohol.

He said 35 years ago his father was killed when he was shot, a victim of violent crime.

"Today we celebrate life. We choose to be with others."