Pink Lights Glow for Athena Strand at Local Community Vigil
It was a rainy night as community members gathered with MWAN in the parking lot of the County Annex under a tree alit with Christmas lights to honor the life of 7-year-old Wise County girl Athena Strand.
In front of a backdrop of both the MWFD & EMS Ladder Truck and The Baker Hotel & Spa’ bell tower glowing with pink lights, the crowd listened to High Ridge Pastor Ryan Sims offer a prayer and words of comfort followed by musician Adam Hull singing Amazing Grace.
Several advocates of the Children’s Alliance Center of Palo Pinto County were also in attendance including, Executive Director Linda Porter-Bradford who spoke to the crowd as well.
“These kids are living in a different world,” Bradford said. “I just pray the community can learn from what has happened and step up to help protect our children.”
A poem by an Unknown Author entitled “No Farewell Words Were Spoken” was read by Amy Bearden followed by lighting candles and the crowd singing along to Silent Night.
No farewell words were spoken, no time to say goodbye, you were gone before we knew it, and only God knows why.
Author Unknown
Seven-year-old Athena Strand was found dead two days after authorities issued an Amber Alert in Wise County when she disappeared. A FedEx driver later confessed to her abduction and murder after authorities received a tip about the driver making a stop at the little girl’s home. 31-year-old Tanner Horner of Tarrant County is charged with Aggravated Kidnapping and Capital Murder.
