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Metro Creative Connection

Erie County remembers those lost to COVID-19

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Tue, Jan 19th 2021 02:10 pm

Old Erie County Hall will be lit amber Jan. 19 in remembrance of lives lost to COVID-19

Church & town bells to ring as part of national moment of remembrance

Erie County will participate in a national moment of unity and remembrance today to remember and honor the nearly 400,000 lives – including nearly 1,400 Erie County residents – lost to COVID-19 in cities and towns across the country.

At 5:30 p.m., Old Erie County Hall at 92 Franklin will be lit in amber lights while the Edward A. Rath county office building at 95 Franklin will also be fully lit as part of the memorial, hosted by the presidential inaugural committee. A concurrent ceremony in Washington, D.C., will feature lighting around the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool; it will be the first-ever lighting around the Reflecting Pool to memorialize American lives lost.

As of Jan. 14, 1,395 Erie County residents have died from COVID-19.

“Erie County will pause and join in a moment of nationwide remembrance this evening, holding in our hearts the memories of the 1,395 county residents and all Americans who have fallen victim to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said. “As we grieve this needless loss of life and pray for a better tomorrow, we must remember that we are in this together – and by working together we can protect our community and safeguard public health.”

Committee Communications Director Pili Tobar said, “The inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris represents the beginning of a new national journey. However, in the midst of a pandemic – when so many Americans are grieving the loss of family, friends and neighbors – it is important that we honor those who have died, reflect on what has been one of the more challenging periods in this nation’s history, and renew our commitment to coming together to unite our country, end the pandemic, and rebuild our nation.”

The committee is inviting cities, towns and homes across the country to join Washington, D.C., in illuminating buildings and ringing church bells at 5:30 p.m. as a part of this national moment of unity and remembrance.

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