TERRE HAUTE —
Thomas Pastor traveled 1,000 miles to remember the son he lost more than 10 years ago.
Pastor, wearing a motorcycle rider’s vest, had traveled from Connecticut to hold a candle and release a balloon in memory of John Pastor, who died in 2001 at age 31.
“I’ll keep coming back,” he said, shortly after releasing a balloon into the damp, gray evening sky.
In all, 29 balloons were released at Monday night’s candle light vigil to remember victims of domestic violence. That’s one more than last year.
The new balloon was in memory of Shawn Singhurst Spitler whose husband has been charged with stabbing her to death.
The purpose of the vigil, an annual tradition for the Council on Domestic Abuse, is to let domestic violence victims know they are not alone, said Caroline Carvill, president of the CODA board.
Victims often feel helpless and isolated, she said. CODA wants them to know they are not and they can reach out for help 24 hours a day.
Calls to CODA at 800-566-2632 or 812-232-1736 are completely anonymous and can be placed for the sole purpose of gathering information, Carvill noted. A caller is not required to leave a name or number.
At this year’s vigil, about 40 people turned out to remember those who lost their lives to husbands, wives, boyfriends or other intimate partners through domestic violence.
Many people held candles in one hand and a string tied to a helium balloon in the other. Each balloon was marked in memory of a victim of domestic violence. When that person’s name was read aloud, the balloon was released into the sky above the Terre Haute City Hall.
“It’s always a very moving moment when the balloons are released,” Carvill said. The faces of some family members showed signs of grief and strong emotion as they watched their balloons float away.
“You can see the pain that it causes everyone,” said Vigo County Prosecutor Terry Modesitt who spoke at the vigil.
Modesitt noted that the Indiana legislature this year created “Hope cards” for victims of domestic violence who have received protective orders. Victims can show the cards to police quickly and easily. In the past, victims had to carry entire protective orders with them, sometimes 20 pages in length.
“I’m glad [the legislature] did this,” Modesitt said. Indiana became the third state in the U.S. to implement such cards.
On average, 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 85 percent of victims are women and about one-in-four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Reporter Arthur Foulkes can be reached at 812-231-4232 or arthur.foulkes@tribstar.com.
Local & Bistate
Related Photos
-
Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis Remembering: Chloe Modglin attended the CODA candlelight vigil Monday evening for Michael Nikols.
-
Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis Remembered: A balloon, each bearing the name of a domestic violence victim, was released as their name was read during Monday evening's candlelight vigil.
-
Caroline Carvill is president of the CODA board of directors.
-
Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis Involved: Vigo County prosecutor Terry Modesitt related what he comes across when he arrives on the scene of a domestic violence crime.
Discussion
Lift off
Balloon launch, candle lighting honor domestic violence victims
- Local & Bistate
-
-
Co-Op to Feed group delivering to needy
Three Terre Haute organizations are teaming up to deliver food boxes to “the neediest of needy” with specific health concerns on a monthly basis.
-
Field trips to take big hit next year
The Vigo County School Corp. plans to inform school staff of “deep cuts” in student field trips for the next school year, Superintendent Dan Tanoos said Friday.
-
Donation drive in Valley aims to send help to Oklahoma tornado victims
Terre Haute Ministries, along with WTWO, WAWV, Q102.7 and 100.7 Mix-FM are joining forces to help those impacted by tornadoes in Moore, Okla.
-
Invention makes houses safer from tornadoes
A Terre Haute man has developed a building construction system that increases the strength of a home, especially from a tornado.
-
ISU to stage public hearing on proposed tuition increase
Indiana State University will conduct a public hearing at 2 p.m. June 4 to receive input on a proposed 1.95 percent increase in student tuition and mandatory fees for the 2013-14 and 2014-15 academic years.
-
Trial date set for man accused of attacking Vigo County deputy
A Terre Haute man accused of attacking a Vigo County Sheriff’s Deputy has an Aug. 12 trial date.
-
Technology speeds disaster alerts, response
Caitria O’Neill remembers her reaction to hearing tornado warnings on June 1, 2011. She went to the grocery store, she said, “because I live in Massachusetts, and we don’t get tornadoes.”
-
Health information to be provided for blood donors
People who give blood at Clinton Gardens’ blood drive Tuesday will leave knowing valuable information about their health. Donors will find out their cholesterol level, blood pressure, blood type and iron levels at no cost.
-
‘This is the best day of my life’
-
Sullivan man airlifted to Indy after crash
A Sullivan man was in critical condition at an Indianapolis hospital Friday after his pickup truck collided with a tanker truck in Sullivan County.
-
Veterans Memorial Park dedication set for Monday
Memorial Day ceremonies will include a special event this year.
-
Ill. House approves guns plan opposed by governor
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Gun owners in the only state still banning concealed weapons would win that right under a plan approved by the Illinois House on Friday, but the governor and other powerful Democrats oppose the plan because it would wipe out local gun ordinances — including Chicago's ban on assault weapons.
-
Vigo County Jail Log: May 24, 2013
The following individuals were booked into the Vigo County Jail by area law enforcement on Thursday and Friday, based on jail records.
-
Vigo County Jail Log: May 23, 2013
The following individuals were booked into the Vigo County Jail by area law enforcement on Wednesday and Thursday, based on jail records.
-
Relic from another age: Massive find
A mastodon that lived in the Wabash Valley thousands of years ago is making big news today.
-
Game Over: Financial tightening causes VCSC to drop St. Patrick’s from athletic schedule
St. Patrick’s School athletic teams will not have an opportunity to compete against their Vigo County School Corp. middle school counterparts next year.
-
Katelyn Newell finally at home
After nearly five months, 8-year-old Katelyn Newell finally returned home Thursday evening — with a new heart.
-
Indiana State U. Police officer honored with Artz Award
Thursday was a special day for Indiana State University Police Officer Christopher Heleine in multiple ways.
-
City Council considering three for consultant
Three different tax professionals vied Thursday for a chance to become a “financial consultant” to the Terre Haute City Council.
-
Clay County sheriff warns of bank card scam
The Clay County Sheriff’s Department has received information regarding a scam targeting residents, according to a news release from the sheriff’s department.
-
State Police seek help with Sullivan County homicide
Indiana State Police detectives from the Putnamville Post are seeking help from the public with the nearly six-month investigation into the death of 85-year-old Lowell R. Badger, a rural Sullivan County farmer.
-
Man who attacked Vigo deputy arrested
A Terre Haute man accused of attacking a Vigo County sheriff’s deputy earlier this week is facing felony charges in the Vigo County jail.
-
INDOT to bid final 641 phase
The final construction phase of the 641 bypass is scheduled to let for bids on Dec. 11, according to the Indiana Department of Transportation.
-
District office moves north
The Southwest District office of the Purdue Extension service has been moved north from Vincennes to Terre Haute.
-
Day is done…
The sun sets Thursday evening as seen from south of Terre Haute.
-
Morning update: I-5 bridge collapse caused by truck hitting span
The Washington State Patrol chief says the Interstate 5 bridge collapse into the Skagit (SKA'-jiht) River at Mount Vernon was caused by an oversize truck.
-
UPDATE: I-70 lanes in Putnam County now open
The west-bound lanes of Interstate 70 re-opened Thursday evening after being temporarily closed due to a crash near the Greencastle/Cloverdale exit.
-
22-hospital St. Vincent Health cutting jobs
INDIANAPOLIS — One of Indiana’s largest health systems says it’s cutting an undisclosed number of jobs by June 30 because of increasing economic and competitive pressure on the health care industry.
-
Update: Cleanup from overturned truck in Greene County continues
Fuel spillage from the dump truck hauling gravel that overturned this morning in Greene County at Indiana 54 and County Road 725 East near Ridgeport continues to restrict traffic to one lane.
-
17-pound bone found during Vigo flood cleanup
TERRE HAUTE — Crews cleaning up from Wabash River flooding in Vigo County came across a 17-pound bone that they believe might have come from an ancient mastodon.
- More Local & Bistate Headlines
-
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Suspect in Killing of Officer Found Dead in Cell
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
High Wire Spectacle Thrills Crowd in Austria
Today in History May 25
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Today in History May 24
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Britain Braces for Possible Copycat Attacks
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
ShowBiz Minute: Shelton, King, Lopez
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
Raw: 80-Year-Old Climbs Mount Everest
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
Young protestor goes viral on Youtube
Toronto Mayor says he's not a crack head
Maine island offers lighthouse getaway
Should We Prepare for Quakes?
Lynn Kindergarten Class Rescues Ducklings
Congressional gold medal awarded to civil rights heroes
Charles Ramsey visits Kentucky
Unique Display Greets Guests At Revel Casino
Cape Cod Train Service Worries Residents
BASE jumper rides snowmobile off cliff to honor dead friend
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
SHOCKING: School Guard Throws Girl Down Stairs
Star Wars X-Wing Star Fighter Made of Legos
Actress Amanda Bynes Arrested in New York
Singer Psy Has An Imposter
President Obama Heckled at National Security Speech
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
More lewd photos may soon come out: Weiner
