Memorial tree to homicide victims dedicated Saturday

WATERLOO, Iowa --- A living memorial to victims of homicide in Black Hawk County is being dedicated Saturday at Gates Park.

A group of Waterloo residents will hold a 2 p.m. ceremony around a newly planted oak tree near the park's restrooms, picnic shelter and basketball courts off of Lester Street on the city's north side. The ceremony is open to the public.

Erick Gafeney, who originated the idea, has dubbed it "The Oak Tree of Peace." About 10 families who have lost members due to a homicide are involved in the effort. The families of other homicide victims are invited to get involved, including engraving their loved one's name on a granite plaque that will be laid in the ground near the tree at a later date.

The Men of Standard, a group Gafeney belongs to at The Gift of Life Church, is sponsoring the tree. Sanders Funeral Service and a number of other funeral homes in the community are donating the cost of engraving some of the names on the plaque.

"The Oak Tree of Peace is being planted as a symbol of hope and peace in the community," said Gafeney. He called it "a visual testimony for the need to eliminate violence in the community." Eventually, he hopes an entire garden will be planted around the tree.

Organizers said Gates Park was chosen for its visibility and importance in the community. It is also a place where children spend a lot of time, helping to raise their awareness about violence.

"We plant the tree, making the memorial," said Brian Vaughn, one of the organizers. "What we're asking for is community involvement."

The memorial would serve as a site for anti-violence educators to bring students. Other visitors could be advocacy and survivor groups as well as individuals who lost family members or friends to a homicide.

Gafeney said records show more than 160 homicides in the county since 1949. He contacted the families of some of the more recent victims and got many of them involved.

Among those are Tanya and Willie Johnson, who son Martavious was killed in January; Velma Andrews, whose son Marcellus was killed last August; Patricia and James Carr, whose son and stepson Ronald Scullark Jr. was killed in 2007; and Elnora Parsons, whose daughter Thyanna was killed in 2004.

"I have already been pushing to do something about violence," said Patricia Carr, before being contacted by Gafeney. As a result, she was ready to sign on to his effort.

"It was exciting to me and just a confirmation that we're on the right track," she added.

To get a homicide victim's name engraved on the plaque or make a donation to the effort, contact Patricia Carr at (319) 234-1415 or Velma Andrews at (319) 464-8669.

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