There were tears and there was laughter at yesterday’s (sat) Lighthouse Memorial Ceremony at the Gazebo, on the riverfront, in Burlington.
A crowd of people gathered for the Lighthouse Dedication Ceremony to honor the lives that were lost in a Jon boat accident in 2012. Mayor and local pastor Shane McCambell officiated the ceremony.
Carlos Capdevila with the RiverRat Safety Awareness Organization said the American flag that’s located next to the lighthouse was also a dedication to someone who had lost their life to the river, so it’s fitting that they sit right next to each other.
Cody Atchely, father of Caitlyn Atchley who lost her life in the tragic accident, spoke about losing his daughter and the struggle of getting out the door each day.
The young adults who passed away May 19th, 2012 in the accident were 22-year-old Jake Boyd, 21-year-old Matt House, 21-year-old Blake Eakins and 20-year-old Caitlyn Atchley, all from Burlington.
The lighthouse is lit every night to remind people to boat smart and remember those who have lost their lives to the mighty MIssissippi River.
