'Gone but never forgotten': Remembering victims of the Waukesha Christmas parade 1 year later

WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58 NEWS) - The community of Waukesha united Monday to remember and honor the lives lost, and those who have been forever changed exactly one year after the Waukesha Christmas Parade tragedy.

Jane Kulich, Lee Owen, Tamara Durand, Virginia Sorenson, Wilhelm Hospel, and Jackson Sparks-the fallen victims' names echoing in the community's minds and in multiple remembrance ceremonies across the city of Waukesha.

Students from Catholic Memorial High School and Waukesha Catholic Elementary School stood together, in solidarity for a moment in silence, to remember the souls who were taken on Nov. 21, 2021.

Waukesha Catholic pastor Matthew Widder told the students that the reason they were united in a circle, was to symbolize that there is no end nor beginning; a reminder that with faith, hope and love one can eventually conquer the dark times.

In remembrance, seven blue candles were lit during the mass, as a symbol of Waukesha Strong--six to honor the lives taken, and one in honor of all the lives who were changed forever, impacted, either physically and/or emotionally, by the tragedy.

"Those here understand the closeness of this community and the connectedness within this community," said Donna Bembenek, President of Catholic Memorial. "What it demonstrated to the world is how special of a place Waukesha is."

A defining moment that changed so many lives forever, and because of it, will always unite families and continue to be #waukeshastrong.

School officials added that this Wednesday in their annual 'Crusade Day of Service,' students will contribute about 1500 hours of community service, serving a Thanksgiving meal to those in need, in honor of the lives lost, and those who are still broken.