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Children's Memorial Flag Day |
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 During the month of April you may notice the special flag flying at some of our local schools. The Cookie Cutter blue figures on a red background represent children who have been victims of mental abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse and neglect. The figure outlined in white represents a missing child, the child who has died as a result of a preventable trauma. April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and in conjunction Lewis County Children’s Memorial Flag Day is April 22. Lewis County Schools will fly the flag on a rotating schedule during the month to remind us to be aware of the children who are victims of preventable trauma. Children’s Memorial Flag Day has become a tradition in West Virginia, a time to fly the flag and hold memorial services for the children who have lost their lives due to violence or preventable accidents. This day of remembrance is an attempt to bring awareness of child abuse and neglect to all fifty states on this day. This important cornerstone of Child Abuse Prevention Month has been observed by all fifty five counties in West Virginia for the past five years. Lewis County Family Resource Network and the Department of Health and Human Services typically hold a public reception at the EMS Community Room, 11:30 to 1:30 to help make the public aware of this loss of our most precious assets, our children. It is easy to be oblivious to the fact that children in many homes are suffering severely from mental abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse and neglect. Child homicides and suicides are an issue that we try to ignore. All too many are occurring. No child should have to suffer the terrors and humiliation some of our children face. In addition to the program, the county court house will fly one of the Children’s Memorial Flags the month of April as a memorial to children who have died violently.
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