On Tuesday, December 1, Key West will join communities across the country and throughout the world to commemorate World AIDS Day. A candlelight march and reading of over 1,000 names of individuals with Key West ties whose lives were cut short by AIDS will precede a dedication ceremony at the AIDS Memorial 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. Musical selections will be provided. The program will also include speakers and the reading of additional names to be dedicated.

The theme of this year’s local commemoration is “I am.” Additional information about the theme can be found at the link www.worldaidscampaign.org/en/Media2/Media-for-World-AIDS-Day

The public is invited to attend the candlelight march and ceremony, as well as participate in the reading of the names.

The following names will be dedicated at this year’s ceremony: Troy Aney, Roger Bailey, Timothy Levon Brown, Scott James Bufano, Philip R. Cary, Robert Ellington, Marka Good, Roy A. Himmelberger, Joe Lewis Logsdon, George Mullaney, Jonathan "Smokey" Parrow, Chuck Selander and Charlena D. Sugarbaker.

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 Jon Allen at 305.924.0219.

The AIDS Memorial website is http://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.