More than 80 families who lost babies to miscarriages or childbirth complications over the last year gathered to participate in the "Walk to Remember" ceremony Oct. 15, 2015 at the Madigan Chapel at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
Most of the families who took part in the ceremony were younger with children in tow. But some more senior members honored the loss of children who passed many years ago -- including Col. Michael Place, Madigan Army Medical Center commander, and his wife Jackie.
"Madigan Army Medical Center is a place where amazing things happen, but unfortunately, it's also a place where difficult things happen," said Col. Place to a nearly full chapel. "I want to thank the chaplain's office and everyone who helped put this together."
In the chapel, chaplain staff read several poems aloud as well as the names of each child lost. Pamela Brewer and 1st Lt. Hannah Raya, a Madigan medical surgical nurse, played a rendition of the song, "Over the rainbow" and Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Charles Rizer, Jr., Madigan Department of Ministry and Pastoral Care chief, gave the closing prayer.
The ceremony then transitioned outside where families walked under the night sky with electronic candles around the Madigan Pond.
Chaplain (Maj.) George Wallace, Madigan Department of Ministry and Pastoral Care deputy chief, called the ceremony both humbling and satisfying.
"I was surprised myself in really how emotional I felt," said Chaplain Wallace. "This is a very personal thing and so, to be able to do something that public that people appreciate and find some healing from is both humbling and gratifying to all of us that contributed to it. It's interesting because like Col. Place said, this hospital is here to help people, and we feel really good when we help people. But, then there are times when we do help people, but we can't fix it and get the outcome that we want -- which is the survival of that child."
Spc. Kenneth Phifer, 17th Field Artillery Brigade, and his wife Kimberly lost three babies at 10 weeks into gestation and found the ceremony a healthy way to grieve and connect with their loss.
"It's a celebration," said Mrs. Phifer. "To me, it legitimizes the life they could have, would have had."
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