Bayou La Batre Plans Memorial For Children

Children Bayou La Batre The location would be next to city hall

by Steve Alexander

Published: Mon, January 21, 2008 - 9:12 pm CST

Plans are underway in Bayou La Batre for a memorial to the four children.
Bayou La Batre City Council Member Henry Barnes says the council voted last week to put the memorial at Maritime Park, which is right next to city hall.
However, Barnes says the council didn't specify the type of memorial.
He says the council wants to leave it up to "whatever the mother wants to do. That's what the park was put there for. It was for people lost at sea."
The search for the children may be over, but has the incident permanently changed Bayou La Batre?
Winston Harbison of Bayou La Batre says, "It was a tragedy. I don't know if the community will ever get closure from a tragedy like that."
Marilyn Harbison said, "I don't think Katrina is over yet."
Mark Davis said, "I got three step kids and one of my own, so its real hard."
Michelle Sprinkle has a special understanding of the importance of closure.
Her 15 year old brother, Jessie Barber, drowned in a boating accident in Portersville Bay seven years ago.
Sprinkle says, "He was fishing. Him and my older brother went out on a boat and he was the only one that didn't come back."
She says the search for the four children brought back memories of the search for her brother.

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LiLMiSSBLB Says:

Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 8:17 am

I think it is a wonderful idea that Councilman Barnes has this idea. I think it would mean not only alot to the family, but to everyone that has lost a loved one at sea. After all, that is why the park is there!
**Another idea would be to have a memorial for the four children, but then something with everyone’s name on it that has been lost at sea. You know, something like the wall of names they have for all the veterans or something? I’m just glad to see that the city officials are working together on this, I just hope people from the community want to help to! What can I do to help?