20th International AIDS
Candlelight Memorial Service
 Sunday, May 18, 2003 in Austin

Photo by Eric A. Crabtree -
Han Nguyen performs "I Believe I Can Fly."

(Austin, TX) The 2003 International AIDS Candlelight Memorial took place on Sunday, 18 May 2003 from 8pm-9pm at Republic Square Park with over 125 in attendance and over $25 raised for the Global Health Council. This was Austin's 4th year participation with this year's theme of : "Remember the Cause, Renewing our Commitment." The Global Heath Council had selected this theme for the service. The service was one of thousands where individuals in more than 2,000 communities in 85 countries participating in this, the world's largest and oldest annual grassroots HIV/AIDS event - all represented in one night for "Remember the Cause, Renewing  our Commitment."

Although absent from the service, Major Gustavo Garcia proclaimed May 18th, 2003 in the city of Austin as the 20th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Service Day and the proclamation was read by Austinite Bob Hemby. AIDS is not over and until there is a cure, ther is still over 60 Million affected by HIV/AIDS, according to the Global Health Council (GHC) That's 60 Million fighting for their lives and 22 Million  lives now lost to AIDS, added GHC.

The local Austin service hosted speakers, prayer, music, songs, and candles with loved ones with both new and old friends. Many were on hand for the night's service including individuals and members ranging from MCC Austin @ Freedom Oaks, Daniel Brookshire, Wright House Wellness Center, AIDS Services of Austin (ASA) and HIV Planning Council. Others included Project Transitions, Hands Across the Nations, United Court of Austin (UCA), Austin Gay & Lesbian  Chamber of Commerce (AGLCC), Personal Connections and Austin Men's Project  (AMP). Still other groups involved that spoke were the Kingdom Seekers & Jesus  Christ, Austin Flyers, Texas Gay Rodeo Association (TGRA) and Interfaith Care  Alliance and others. The night service highlights was Han Nquyen- in her great dance interpretation of the song - "I Believe I Can Fly," Daniel Brookshire's Saxophone tribute "Amazing Grace," and Bob Hemby's two moving solo songs of "Love Don't Need a Reason," by Michael Callen and then the "Final Song," by Harvey Fierstein.

"I am very proud that we are able to bring all aspects of our community together to help spread the word on this disease and gain more awareness within our own backyard," stated Eric A. Crabtree - Austin AIDS Candlelight Memorial Service Coordinator. "This was Austin's 4th year involvement with Global Health Council and we have lost many loved ones since, and we all pray we do not lose more life's," any quicker than God wants us," he added. Crabtree also commented that this year was the best over the past several years since the crowd and participation has grown in 2003.
He challenged every 125 participants this year, that for next year, on the 21st International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Service and Austin's 5th year participation that every participant bring at least one friend or love one for the next year's event. Crabtree lastly added that he wished to thank each and every individual and organization that attended and spoke and performed at tonight's event. "Without  each of those that attended from our own little world, our city of Austin would not be a special and better place to live and work and grow." "Thank you from the  bottom of my heart," he added.

For more info
 on the Global Health Council
or the 20th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Service,
visit.  www.candlelightmemorial.org

http://haninc.org