Remembrance Day in Sparta this Sunday honors those lost during Covid

On Remembrance Day in Sparta, turn your thoughts to those lost during the pandemic

Remembrance Day in Sparta will be observed on the Lake Mohawk boardwalk on Sunday, April 10, at 6:30 p.m., when time will be set aside to honor and remember loved ones lost during the Covid pandemic.

The idea of a Remembrance Day was raised by the Sanchez family of Sparta. John Sanchez lost his beloved wife, Evelyn Gomez Sanchez, on Palm Sunday, April 5, 2020. Evelyn may have been one of the first people in the Sparta area to lose their lives to Covid.

Registration is required to participate in Remembrance Day, and has been extended to Friday, April 8. Register with John’s daughter, Denise Sanchez, at 973-224-0515 or Sanchezmdx@yahoo.com; or with family friend Marjorie Strohsahl at 973-943-2155 or marjstro@earthlink.net.

During the lantern ceremony, one member of each family or group will honor their loved one by saying a few words in their memory. A small, battery-operated lantern will be provided to the family or group for each life lost. Participants are encouraged to bring a framed photo of their loved one.

Words of solace and healing will be offered by local clergy. Several local officials will join residents for this special celebration of life.

Sparta Woman’s Club is a contributor to this memorial event in honor of Sparta citizens.

According to the Sussex County Department of Health, 29 Sparta residents and 474 total Sussex County residents have died of Covid from the start of the pandemic to April 4, 2022. In that same time period, 4,722 cases of Covid were reported in Sparta.