National Day for Missing -- One Signature Short

I got a note from some old friends, Doug and Mary Lyall. They founded the Center For Hope after their daughter Suzanne went missing.

Doug and Mary have been working on a National Missing Persons Day, but unfortunately the last signature required didn't happen. President Bush turned it away. Now their hope is to try again when the new President is in office.

What If We Work Together?
In another effort, I have been eyeing a combined National Missing and Unidentified Persons Day. And some dedicated people have made it happen already on the state level in Missouri.

I think it can happen on a national level if we all work together. The Lyall's already paved the way for the Missing Persons Day -- all the way to the White House.

Already half of what I seek as a whole. But I do not see a glass half empty, I see a glass half full and I still want to see that glass completely full.

Maybe the refusal of President Bush to sign the National Day for the Missing was a blessing in disguise -- opening the door to allow it to be so much more.

My hope is to see the Lyall family add "Unidentified" to their "Missing Day" effort for another run at the White House -- this time with more voices behind them.

To me this proposed special day seems like a great fit with NamUs on the horizon. What a wonderful way of setting aside a day for awareness for that effort as well.

Combined Efforts
From the sound of their note, I know Doug and Mary are already interested in the possibility of a combined National Missing and Unidentified Persons Day.

I hope to work with them to help expand the possibilities and rally our allies.

Family Buy In?
I have to wonder how others feel. Are most family members of the missing willing to share this special day? Are they willing to help give a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves?

I decided to make a few calls to see how the idea sounded to others.

My first call was to Laura Hood. Her brother Tony Allen has been missing since 1978. I ask her how she felt about a combined day.

Laura says, It's impossible to have a Missing Persons Day without also remembering the nameless, voiceless, and often forgotten unidentified persons that exist. Continuing to hope for the best outcome, reality forces us all to consider that our loved one may be among the thousands of unidentified remains scattered throughout our country. Each unidentified person represents a missing person from somewhere; each is surrounded by a shroud of mystery, and each deserves to go home.

Randy Shaffer, father of missing Brian Shaffer, says, I think that would be great...yes I do feel that the unidentified should also be spoken for.

Janice Smolinski, mother of missing Billy Smolinski, says, What is it going to take to wake up our country? I am definitely in support of a National Missing and Unidentified Persons Day. How sad to say if this happened to a family member of someone with influence than how fast a day would be established. Having said that I feel ALL people are equal and no one should be weeded out. Life is choices, in my sons case he chose the wrong person to fall in love with for sure. Many many others in this country make poor choices but it doesn't mean they should be ignored, they need to be found and identified. They are all God's children.

The Bottom Line
I could go on and on making these calls for months on end and never cover all the cases out there. But it seems that folks agree that a combined National Day of Awareness for both Missing and Unidentifed Persons is a positive thing.

I think for the most part the family members of the missing are also willing to advocate for the unidentified.

George Adams from the Center For Human Identification Program (CHIP) states, As you well know when we identify a persons remains it is usually the same story over and over -- they were a runaway, or another missing person. They are both sides of the same coin.

Can We Make It Happen?
I'm sure we can do it, the question is how soon? A lot of that depends on not only the family members of the missing, but also you the public.

Will you write to your state leaders and help set the wheels in motion on your state level? Also ask them to support any national efforts that they might be able to influence.

You never know how quickly your lives can be turned upside down. So consider any efforts an ounce of prevention.

If you have any information on the topics I post, then please leave me a comment, email me at SleuthTheTruth@gmail.com or call my Tip Line at 206-279-9993.

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