'Remember them for how they lived': Waukesha dedicates permanent memorial on 3rd anniversary of deadly parade tragedy

WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The healing process continued in Waukesha, three years after six people were killed and dozens more injured in the 2021 Christmas Parade tragedy.

On Thursday, Nov. 21, the community commemorated those impacted by dedicating the permanent memorial in Grede Park.

The large heart in the middle of the memorial is made up of six ribbons that represent each person who died as a result of the parade tragedy.

The ribbons spread throughout the park and create benches that have plaques honoring those who were lost.

There were plenty of tears Thursday but also smiles as the community continues to help people cope and heal.

Marshall Sorenson is the son of Virginia "Ginny" Sorenson, one of the six who died. Marshall told us, "We have days that are rough. But we get through it and remember the good times. And this is a place where we can do that."

At 4:39 p.m. -the exact moment of the attack- the Waukesha community honored the six people who died, and the dozens more who were injured.

Marshall Sorenson's daughter, Brooke Sorenson -Ginny's granddaughter- told us, "It felt relaxing to me knowing that everybody's thinking about all these people that died and they're in a better place and they love all their family members."

Lori Lochen is one of the people injured that day. She spoke to the crowd Thursday, saying, "We were all changed that day."

Lochen described her experiences as she walked the parade route. "When I turned around to discover what was happening, the only thing I saw were the headlights of the SUV."

As she lay injured, she said she remembers all the voices of people trying to help. "There was kindness that surrounded me. And I felt this deep sense of care."

At the ceremony, invited guests like Governor Tony Evers spoke.

And people prayed along with Father Patrick Heppe, who was also hospitalized because of the attack. Father Heppe said, "We want to support and continue to grow what is good."

There were also songs of hope and a moment of silence.

Hundreds of people were impacted, in Waukesha and beyond. Even those not at the parade that day, like Taylor Kulich. "But a piece of my heart was. And she never came home to us that day."

Taylor remembered her late mother, Jane Kulich. "She was sassy and sweet, she was home. And that's how I want to remember her."

Many people are still healing physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Waukesha County District Attorney Susan Opper was invited to the ceremony. Opper was responsible for prosecuting the attacker.

Opper said she spends much of her time dealing with bad people, "And then I come to an event like this and my heart is lifted up," she told the crowd.

Many more people are not yet able to cope with the anniversary or what happened that day.

Mary Madden, of the United for Waukesha Resiliency Center, said, "Everybody's trauma journey is different."

The Resiliency Center offers resources to anyone who needs them.

But Madden added, "If you have to stay at home and not deal with that, that's ok. That's an ok response."

Waukesha mayor Shawn Reilly told us, "Our community is one of those communities that will immediately jump in and help those that need help."

But those that did visit walked through the gardens, left flowers, and traced their fingers over the artistic tiles created by community members.

And they shared memories.

That was Taylor Kulich's wish for the Waukesha strong community, "That we remember them for how they lived."

The United for Waukesha Resiliency Center offers mental health resources for anyone impacted by the tragedy. And a federal grant was just extended through May of 2026, making those resources free of cost.