Dallas participates in national memorial

From City Staff Reports

The City of Dallas participated in the national Memorial to Lives Lost to COVID-19, synchronizing the ringing of bells in conjunction with the same memorial, which took place in Washington D.C. on January 19, also occurring that day in cities and towns across  the country. The memorial featured the lighting of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and the illumination of buildings and ringing of church bells in a national moment of unity and remembrance.

In Dallas, the Memorial to Lives Lost to COVID-19 also included illuminating the downtown skyline in amber starting at sunset.
Photo courtesy of the City of Dallas

“It is important for us to take some time to grieve the terrible toll of COVID-19. In Dallas alone, hundreds of our residents have lost their lives to this insidious virus,” said Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson. “We must do everything we can to overcome this tragedy and move beyond the pandemic.”

The program in Washington D.C. emphasized the importance of looking back and remembering the lives lost to COVID-19 as the country looks forward to the hope of a new path and a brighter future. 

In Dallas, the Memorial to Lives Lost to COVID-19 also included illuminating the downtown skyline in amber starting at sunset.

“The inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris represents the beginning of a new national journey. 

However, in the midst of a pandemic — when so many Americans are grieving the loss of family, friends and neighbors — it is important that we honor those who have died, reflect on what has been one of the more challenging periods in this nation’s history, and renew our commitment to coming together to unite our country, end the pandemic and rebuild our nation,” said Presidential Inauguration Committee Communications Director Pili Tobar.

“As our City of Dallas family mourns those lost to COVID-19, our participation in this national remembrance is a peaceful moment for our community to unite and reflect before moving forward as One Dallas, together,” said Dallas City Manager T.C. Broadnax.