Wyoming Silent Witness Ceremony Honors Domestic Violence Victims with Memorial Walk

The Wyoming Silent Witness Ceremony took place on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at the historic Sheridan Inn, featuring a powerful memorial walk honoring victims of domestic violence, the Sheridan Press reports.

Organized by the Advocacy and Resource Center, the event included participants carrying life-sized silhouettes representing individuals who lost their lives due to domestic violence.

The walk, led by Yvonne Swanson, the center’s executive director, began at the Sheridan Inn and proceeded down Fifth Street, turning onto Main Street before returning to the Inn on East Fourth Street. Among those carrying the lead silhouettes were Charlie Falkis and Natalie Perkins.

As part of the ceremony, silhouettes were arranged outside the Sheridan Inn, symbolizing the lives of the victims. These silent figures filled the streets and later the room inside the Inn, creating a poignant reminder of the lives lost. A roll call was held, including the solemn inclusion of a silhouette for “Lost Children,” as attendees reflected on the devastating impact of domestic violence.

Following the memorial walk, participants gathered inside the Inn, where JT and Elizabeth Craft, along with their son, James, performed a tribute during the event. The ceremony was an emotional and visual reminder of the ongoing fight against domestic violence and the importance of community support for victims and survivors.