[WA] CRYSTAL JUDSON VIGIL in Gig Harbor. Also, gathering a GIFT OF WORDS

Crystal's Candlelight Commemoration will begin at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Peninsula Christian Fellowship, 3114 45th St. Court NW in Gig Harbor.
5:30 pm, Lane Judson Presentation, adults, children 13+
6:30 pm, Hors d'Oeuvers
7:00 pm, Main Program, Positive Outlook, a Family Program
Scroll down for flyer & more info on Saturday's vigil.


GATHERING A GIFT OF WORDS FOR CRYSTAL'S PEOPLE

Today is Crystal Judson's birthday - or would have been.

On the 26th it will be five years since Tacoma Police Chief David Brame decided to end his wife Crystal's life, and his own.

I would like to add a page to her parents' website, www.lanejudson.com, and fill it with words from the community-of-caring, near and far. (Someone emailed support from Australia.)

I invite you to cast off whatever keeps you from sharing - your position, your name, whatever it is - and give the gift of words. I can post you anonymously if you'd rather not have your name out there, OR you can email Patty & Lane Judson without being posted on the website page here. If you have caring words for anyone else involved - police, the city, David Brame's parents - I can forward those as well.

THANK you to the hundreds of people who have labored for the changes and accomplishments that have occurred in these past five years.

Hugs to the many who have lost sleep or wept.

Let's not stop working for changes that would have saved Crystal's life though.

By the end of 2003 the focus shifted to laws, policies, and offending officers. The original pained outcry for a specific resource for officer-involved domestic violence [oidv] victims was abandoned. There is still no newly designated resouce for Washington oidv victims who justifiably fear the conventional avenues of help. Outside of Pierce County they are referred to the National or State general domestic hotlines. By now I had dreamed that not only Washington State, but others around the country, would have established special lines, support, and even offices. So the work is yet unfinished.

Much love, be strong, stay safe, and continue to make the world a better place.

Hope you can make it to the vigil (below) if you live in Washington.
Deon Gates

Youtube video of Lane Judson interviewd on Pierce County News regarding his presenting at the Men Against Violence Conference earlier this month:

IMPORTANT NOTE:

THE ADDRESS FOR THE VIGIL GIVEN ON THE FLYER AND IN THE ARTICLE IS INCORRECT. I DISCOVERED IT WHILE GETTING THE LINK FOR A MAP. I CALLED THE CHURCH, AND THEY VERIFIED THAT THE PUBLISHED ADDRESS IS AN ERROR. THE CORRECT ADDRESS IS 3114 45TH STREET COURT NW, GIG HARBOR. CLICK HERE FOR A MAP. CLICK HERE FOR THE CHURCH'S CONTACT PAGE.

THE CRYSTAL JUDSON FOUNDATION SPONSORING THIS VIGIL WAS STARTED BY COMMUNITY MEMBERS, NOT CRYSTAL'S FAMILY.

CLICK ON IMAGE TO SEE FULL-SIZED.

Judson Foundation plans candlelight event
Plans to build ice arena will be discussed Saturday
Gateway staff report
April 23rd, 2008

The Crystal Judson Domestic Violence Prevention Foundation will hold a candlelight vigil Saturday to honor the memory of Crystal Judson, who was killed five years ago by her husband, then-Tacoma Police Chief David Brame.

Since her death, the foundation and Judson's parents have been devoted to promoting the cause of domestic abuse awareness.

The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Peninsula Christian Fellowship by recounting Judson's life story and will be followed by a candlelight ceremony with music at 7 p.m.

Former Gig Harbor mayor Gretchen Wilbert will also speak at the event. She plans to give an update on a proposed ice arena in Gig Harbor, one of the projects being pursued by the foundation to honor Judson's memory.

The arena would feature a temporary 56-foot by 80-foot skating facility that would be located at the Uptown Gig Harbor shopping center. The arena would be open for public skating, plus skating performances, and hockey and other lessons.

Wilbert said the ice arena would fill two needs in the community.

"First, it will honor the life of Crystal, who gave her life to domestic violence and who was an award-winning figure skater," she said. "Second, we need more indoor activity facilities in Gig Harbor."

Wilbert also noted that the YMCA is already overcrowded as it relates to skating use.

"This will provide another space we need so badly," she said.

The arena would be called the "Palais de Crystal" and would be considered a gift to Gig Harbor from the foundation.

Event details

Crystal's Candlelight Commemoration will begin at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Peninsula Christian Fellowship, 3114 45th St. Court NW in Gig Harbor.