County Commissioner Kevin Boozel listens as Denia Carr shares her sentiments on her late partner, James Russell at the Remembrance and Celebration of Life Rally on Wednesday at Alameda Park. The event honored 14 people who have died in the last year. All 14 suffered from mental health, addiction or homelessness issues or were workers in the county's mental health system. This National Mental Health Week.

Those who are reluctant to associate with people suffering from homelessness, drug and alcohol addiction and mental health issues would have done well to attend the Remembrance and Celebration of Life Rally held Wednesday at Alameda Park.

About 50 people gathered in the Carousel Shelter to remember 14 people who have died in the past year after battling those issues or who worked in the field of mental health.

The event is held each year during National Mental Health Week, which is Oct. 4 to 10 this year.

Sentiments shared by the friends, coworkers, clients and family members of the 14 remembered could have been describing folks in any cross section of society.

“His smile could light up a room,” “I never saw her unhappy,” “He stood up for people who couldn't stand up for themselves,” “He was a practical joker,” “He loved to work,” “He was in the Air Force,” and “I literally watched him take the shirt off his back and give it to a man” were among the recollections shared regarding those being remembered.

This is an excerpt from a larger article that appears in Thursday's Butler Eagle. Subscribe online or in print.