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Children's Memorial Flag
The CWLA Children's Memorial Flag Initiative
In 1998, CWLA launched a public awareness campaign to direct attention to the tragedy of violent child deaths as part of a national initiative to reduce child mortality. This year, the focus of the initiative will be on supporting the White House Conference on Children and Youth as an effective way to accomplish this goal.
The centerpiece is simple--a red flag depicting blue, paper-doll-like figures of children holding hands. In the center, the white chalk outline of a missing child symbolizes the thousands of children lost to violence. Created by a 16-year-old student in Alameda County, California, and flown on the fourth Friday in April, the Children's Memorial Flag honors each lost child and raises public awareness about the continuing problem of violence against children.
For the past three years, all 50 governors have united in an impressive bipartisan effort by flying the flag, issuing proclamations, or participating in ceremonies to memorialize children. National and local publicity has been terrific, and the Children's Memorial Flag has become an increasingly recognizable symbol of the need to improve our efforts to protect children.
The Children's Memorial Flag has also received support from mayors, directors of social service agencies and hospitals, schools, district attorneys, police chiefs, and others.
Join the nearly 300 organizations, 101 cities, and all 50 states that support the Children's Memorial Flag Day initiative. Fly your flag on April 25--or fly it all month long--and support CWLA's efforts to protect every child from harm.
The nylon, all-weather Children's Memorial Flag comes in two sizes: 5' x 8' ($110) and 3' x 5' ($70). To order online, visit the CWLA Memorial Flag Purchase Page. Or call 800/407-6273.
All flag proceeds support CWLA efforts to serve more than 9 million vulnerable and at-risk children annually.
For more information about Children's Memorial Flag Day, call Karen Dunn at 703/412-2416, or e-mail flag@cwla.org. For facts and figures about child abuse and neglect, browse the Child Protection Program of CWLA.
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Further the Cause
The Children's Memorial Flag has already brought the issue of child abuse and neglect to light for thousands of people, but we must continue the momentum if we hope to prevent future occurrences of violence against children. Your support is essential to helping us realize the dream of eliminating the violence against children.
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Stay Connected
Each year, more and more concerned citizens join in the Children's Memorial Flag Initiative. The energy and enthusiasm for this initiative has been overwhelming, and we would like to share your stories with others who participate in the flag campaign or are thinking about getting involved. Tell us what you or your organization is doing to support National Children's Memorial Flag Day. E-mail pictures and stories to flag@cwla.org.
Nearly 3 million children are reported abused and neglected each year in this country, and more than 1,000 die tragically from abuse and neglect. Have you experienced tragedy firsthand? Please share your story.
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond's gift in snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quite birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there, I did not die.
--Author Unknown
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CWLA hosted a National Children's Memorial Flag Day Ceremony on April 22, 2005, at the IDEA Public Charter School in Washington, D.C. Miami artist Xavier Cortada unveiled a National Message Mural using poems and messages written by caring and concerned citizens. Read about this powerful celebration of violence prevention.
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Newsletter
Read the inaugural issue of Flagging Child Abuse (PDF; Requires Adobe Reader), a follow-up to Children's Memorial Flag Day 2005. Browse what others have done to support the CWLA Flag Initiative. Learn what you can do to get involved.
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Commemorative Stamp Initiative
To further increase public awareness of the tragedy of violence against children, CWLA and Alameda County, California, are submitting a proposal for the Children's Memorial Flag to be commemorated on a U.S. postal stamp. Though nearly 400 individuals and organizations actively support the stamp initiative, we still need more help. View our growing list of supporters or add your name to the list.
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Children's Memorial and Gardens, Inc.
Children's Memorial and Gardens, Inc is dedicated to creating places of beauty and solace for all who mourn the loss of a child. More than 200 isolated gardens across America are dedicated to youth and young adults. The universal message of each garden is H-O-P-E. Children's Memorial and Gardens expects to create a National Garden by uniting each individual one through the Children's Memorial emblem. Several gardens have already received a CWLA Children's Memorial Flag to fly during special ceremonies and/or all year long. The flag serves as a reminder that we must improve our efforts to protect our children.
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