AUGUSTA, Maine- Dozens of names, including those of the 18 victims from the tragic Lewiston shooting, were added to a memorial in Augusta on Sunday. According to CBS 13, the ceremony at Holy Family cemetery aimed to honor Maine’s murder victims, with hundreds of names now etched on the monument since its dedication in 2013.

Art Jette, Maine Chapter Leader of “Parents of Murdered Children,” solemnly read each newly added name and delivered a heartfelt message to attendees. Reflecting on the significance of the memorial, Jette remarked, “This memorial will always provide the opportunity to honor the lives of those that were intentionally taken by others and recognize the value that we place on life itself.”

Tricia Asselin, one of the victims of the Lewiston shooting, was remembered fondly during the ceremony. Her sister, Bobbi Nichols, who survived that tragic night, expressed deep gratitude for the memorialization of her sister’s life, saying, “I’m feeling very touched today, any time I can be somewhere to talk about my sister and the beautiful person that she was, I am there.”

The event provided remembrance and community for families and friends of the victims, with Nichols emphasizing the importance of mutual support among those who share similar grief. “To meet other people that are going through the same thing,” she reflected.

Organizers highlighted that this annual ceremony serves as a reminder of the violence in the state and ensures that the memories of those lost will endure indefinitely. Nicholos said the sentiment shared by many, stating, “It’s nice to memorialize them and remember them because they should not be forgotten.”

The ceremony concluded with each participant receiving a rose and a comforting embrace, underscoring the unity and resilience of the community in the face of such loss.