At local vigil, families, friends can remember AIDS victims

WARREN -- Local residents who died of AIDS will be remembered tonight as part of the 18th annual International AIDS Candlelight Memorial.
The memorial will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the log cabin across from Courthouse Square Park. At 8:30 p.m., a candlelight procession will go from the log cabin to the gazebo in Courthouse Square Park.
The names of local residents who died of AIDS-related complications will be read aloud at the gazebo. Around 246 Mahoning Valley residents have died as a result of the disease, according to the Trumbull County Area AIDS Task Force.
The task force is coordinating the memorial.
The memorial also will feature a congregational reading, a dramatic presentation and remarks by Warren Mayor Hank Angelo. An altar with pictures of local residents who died of AIDS and local AIDS quilts also will be on display.
The theme for this year's memorial is "One Voice, Many Faces ... United for Life." Local public and medical officials, as well as students, clergy and family of those who have died of AIDS complications, are expected to participate in the memorial.
Candles will be provided. To add a name to the list of those that will be read at the memorial, call (330) 399-AIDS or (330) 399-5343. Names also may be added at the memorial.