State Police Participate in the 8th Annual Missing Children's Day Ceremony

On Wednesday, May 21, 2008, at 11:00 a.m., the Molly Bish Foundation hosted the 8th Annual Missing Children's Day Ceremony in the Nurses Hall at the State House in Boston. This ceremony honors the memory of missing and murdered children and demonstrates support for missing and abducted children who have been safely returned to their families. The ceremony included testimonials from parents of missing and murdered children as well as speeches from members of law enforcement and the legislature.

Senator Stephen Brewer gave the opening remarks and read a proclamation from Governor Deval Patrick that proclaimed May 2008 to be Massachusetts Missing Children Month. The proclamation further urged all the citizens of the Commonwealth to "take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly in its observance." Other speakers who offered their support to the families of missing and murdered children included: Attorney General Martha Coakley, Senate President Therese Murray, Representative Anne Gobi, Representative Todd Smola, and Representative Karyn Polito.

Massachusetts State Police Lieutenant Colonel Marian McGovern spoke at the ceremony and stated that on behalf of Colonel Mark Delaney, "the State Police are proud to be part of this ceremony and will continue to work diligently with our community, law enforcement and legislative partners to bring all these missing children home."

During the ceremony, awards were presented to individuals, organizations and businesses that have contributed significantly to protecting the children of the Commonwealth and advancing issues regarding missing and abducted children. Among the award recipients was Trooper Keith Pantazelos of the State Police K-9 Unit East. Trooper Pantazelos was presented with an award from Representative John Rogers for his work on a missing child case in January of 2003 that resulted in the safe recovery of the child in New Hampshire after an intensive three week investigation. Additionally, the State Police Pipe and Drum Unit and the State Police Drill and Ceremonial Unit both received awards for their continued support of the Massachusetts Missing Children's Day Ceremony.

The ceremony also included the announcement of the Massachusetts winner of the 2008 Amber Alert Poster Contest. The United States Department of Justice sponsors this annual poster contest that challenges fifth grade students to develop posters that represent America's united goal of bringing missing children home safely. This year's winner, 10-year-old fifth grader Stephanie Ward from the Marlborough Intermediate Elementary School was presented with a plaque by Trooper Nicole Morrell, the Commonwealth's AMBER Alert Coordinator and organizer of the poster contest in Massachusetts. Stephanie's poster represented America's united goal of bringing missing children home safely by depicting a family reunited with two American flags flying overhead.


2008 Winning Poster - By Stephanie Ward of Marlborough