'Bless their memories': Flagler County hosts vigil for 110 COVID deaths

Many held candles to memorialize friends and loved ones.

By Brian McMillan
| 5:10 p.m. May 17, 2021

Friends and family held candles to remember loved ones. Photos by Brian McMillan

County Administrator Jerry Cameron. Photo by Brian McMillan

John Galloway, Calvary Church Palm Coast. Photo by Brian McMillan

Manny Lopez, Santa Maria Del Mar Catholic Church. Photo by Brian McMillan

Sheriff Rick Staly. Photo by Brian McMillan

Rose Eberle, Temple Beth Shalom. Photo by Brian McMillan

Charles Silano, Grace Tabernacle Ministries. Photo by Brian McMillan

Donald O'Brien, chairman of the Flagler County Board of County Commissioners. Photo by Brian McMillan

Palm Coast Observer
Neighbors

Flagler County officials and residents — many holding vigil candles — gathered for solemn prayer outside the Government Services Building on May 17, to remember the 110 people who have died from COVID-19.

"Let us hold fast to all the precious moments we shared," said Rose Eberle, rabbi of Temple Beth Shalom. "Let us be truly grateful for having known them."

Eberle also sang Psalm 121 in Hebrew and added, "Let us bless their memories by acts of kindness, justice and peace."

Eberle was joined by many other leaders of faith who shared words of mourning and comfort: Dr. Kevin James, Palm Coast United Methodist Church; Steven and Diane Goldthorpe, Epic Church; Charles Silano, Grace Tabernacle Ministries; Manny Lopez, Santa Maria Del Mar Catholic Church; John Gallowy, Calvary Church Palm Coast; and Chaplain Reistetter, Flagler County Sheriff's Office.

author

Brian McMillan

Brian McMillan and his wife, Hailey, bought the Observer in 2023. Before taking on his role as publisher, Brian was the editor from 2010 to 2022, winning numerous awards for his column writing, photography and journalism, from the Florida Press Association.