On Monday, December 1, Key West will join communities across the country and throughout the world to commemorate World AIDS Day. A candlelight parade and reading of the more than 1,000 names of individuals with Key West ties whose lives were cut short by AIDS will precede a memorial service at the AIDS Memorial at Higgs Beach.

The candlelight parade will step off at 5 p.m. from Glynn Archer School at the corner of White and United. Names of those individuals who are on tile panels at the Memorial will be read. Musical selections, prayers, speakers and the reading of additional names to be dedicated will mark the brief memorial service to follow around 5:30 p.m.

The theme of this year's local commemoration is "Inspiring Memories - Transforming Lives". The public is invited to attend the candlelight parade and ceremony, as well as participate in the reading of the names. Those wishing to read names may call Michael Epting at 296-3018 or email him at me233040@aol.com. Ushers will be available at the event to assist in locating individual names on the Memorial.

The following names will be dedicated at this year's memorial service: Jeremy Anthony, Robert Barretta, Arthur J. Bates, Jimmy Berlin, Franklin Lamar Blanton, Bill Borroughs, Reverend Walter D. Collins, Bruce P. Cotten, Jr., John Crossan, Raymond daRocha, Leonard DeBuck, Humberto Dionisio, Conrad Dube, Jean-Paul Ferrerman, Nicky Glauda, Steven Glencross, J.T. Gutierrez, Scott Hamm, Dean Marshall Hansen, Humberto Hurrera, Patti Lord, Tom Machoti, Christopher Manship, Mike Mantas, James Mottley, Bert O'Neal, Mario Otero, Todd J. Peerman, Stephen Gray Perine, Martin John Powers, Daniel Puerto, Jose Quintanilla, Charlie Rich, Jorge Rivera-Lopez, Robert M. Saari, Manolo Saura, Rollie Severson, Derrick Sheridan, Eugene Smoot, Marc Somberg, Mark Sommers, Charles Stincer, Jim Swisher, Deane Tatje, Kenneth Tidwell, Berry Tracy, Ronald C. Tyner, Joseph D. Ursitti, Sergio L. Valasquez, Jean-Luc Vercammen, Frank Wager, Tim Ward, Jackson Lee Watts III, William C. Weaver, Curtis Weikel, Mark West, Anne Whalen, Marilyn Whalen, Thomas M. Whalen, John Williams and Blaine Zinnendorf.

The AIDS Memorial is a Key West city park, but was created and is maintained and supported with private funds through the Friends of the Key West Memorial, an all- volunteer non-profit organization. Anyone wishing to nominate a friend who has died for inclusion on the Memorial, to join the Friends of the AIDS Memorial, make a donation or obtain other information may call 294-4411.

The local AIDS Memorial website is http:www.cyberconch.com/aidskw. The online memorial contains photos of the White Street tiles and supports "web quilts" whereby friends and family may contribute photos and other tributes for display on the Internet.