On Saturday, December 1, Key West will celebrate the tenth anniversary of our AIDS Memorial and join communities across the country and throughout the world to commemorate World AIDS Day. A candlelight march and reading of 1,145 names of individuals with Key West ties whose lives were cut short by AIDS will precede a dedication ceremony at the AIDS Memorial at the White Street Pier at Higgs Beach.

The candlelight march 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. A brief dedication ceremony will commence around 5:30 p.m. Ms. Jacquelyn E. Williams will provide musical selections. AIDS Help Deputy Executive Director Joe Pais will be the main speaker.

The theme of this year’s local commemoration is “Leadership: Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise.” The public is invited to attend the candlelight march and ceremony, as well as participate in the reading of the names. 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 ceremony: Eduardo Andino, Robert K Atkinson, Stephen Doherty, David Donvito, Israel Drago, Bill Dunn, TJ Fox, John Ledford, Stefan McComb, Mark Paridee, Tom Purnal, Kenneth Putnam, Michael (Mike) Reese, Frank Rubino, James Smith, Anthony W Todd, and Linda Zakia.

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 AIDS Memorial, Inc., a 501 c (3) 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 4-4411.

The AIDS Memorial website is www.KeyWestAIDS.org. 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.

The annual Tree of Hope Lighting to benefit AIDS Help follows this ceremony at 7 p.m. at LaTeDa. More than 250 angel bears will hang from a Christmas tree decorated with 10,000 lights. These bears will be on sale for $25 apiece for guests to purchase to pay tribute to a loved one lost to AIDS.