Rally Stop Roanoke Rapids, NC

We arrived at our stop for a candle light service, and  as we turned the corner to this area we immediately saw a lot of people packed in and a strong police presence which warmed my heart; even after all of these years Shonda's family still standing strong in numbers. Many stops we attend you will find lots of youth, sad that missing people can and do affect the next generation! Joining in the loss was the family of Amy Bridgeman, her husband had so much he wanted to say to everyone but when it was his turn to speak he became overwhelmed fighting back tears saying nothing more than hearing his whales of misery. 

You see I have watched a lot of children grow up being with these families for so many years and searching for their loved one, I always have to catch my breath when I see them again because it can break your heart if you dwell too long on the thought of  how much their life would be different if they had not suffered a missing person. I always pray hard for the children and their future ahead.

This is when I truly become enraged over the lack of concern by the general public moving about this world not paying attention to the suffering of those left behind to endure a missing loved one. PS just because it has not happened to you does not mean a person can not help, notice, lend support or how about do something! Then I realize we just have to keep pressing forward and educate, provide the proof in real time. This is what CUE is well known for and good at, getting the families strong enough to help fight the fight, lift the cause up and show their loss to those who do not have an understanding. 

See a missing person is a roadway with not map, no lights and certainly no weather forecast....so many communities are lost trying to find their way all the while searching blindly for their absent loved one, experiencing road construction at ever bend in their journey. So as we leave here tonight I have left a revised road map knowing it will be revised many more times before we are provided a resolution. I remain hopeful though because I know from my work with cases of the missing everyone gets their turn to be found.

Monica Caison LYMI

Getting ready for the tour

Janeane and I both arrived in Wilmington  on Wednesday October 2nd in the early afternoon. You could just feel the excitement and anticipation in the air and the awareness that there would be much to do to be ready to leave in the morning.

Entering Monica's home the first thing that caught my eye were the boxes and boxes of T-shirts. They all needed to be sorted, folded, and repacked into storage bins by size (which we didn't have yet). As Janeane grabbed a shirt  I shrieked "Stop". They have to be folded in a specific way, the "Monica" way. And when I tried, to my amazement, finally, after three years, my best was correct. Janeane is still in the struggling stage, "How are you getting them so small?  Why can't I do it?". It's her first time, it will come. We folded and sorted for hours, making neat piles all over the living room. Next up were the press packages. Shiny red bags needed to be filled. We quickly realized the fastest way would be for one to gather and the other to stuff. This also took hours.
In the meanwhile, Monica's in and out of the room, working on all the various things that need to be done before we go.Family and friends, including all the grand babies, were in and out of the house. Press arrived to take pictures and get an interview. Caison chaos was in full out mode and at the same time she's also preparing us a home cooked delicious dinner (even though Someone bought the wrong type of potatoes and she was unhappy with how they were frying).
After dinner it was time to go to the storage unit and pick up everything else. We needed to take 2 vehicles and I get the privilege of driving Monica's truck, since there is no way I'm driving a 15 person van. I normally drive a tiny sports car and it's nighttime, and I quickly realize you can't see out the back window since they're are dog crates in the back. Janeane jumps in with me for moral support and off we go. I followed Monica through road work and lane closures hoping for the best. We get back and all the shirt bins are full and not organized so we start over with our piles. At one point Janeane laid down on the floor and I thought she was toast since she had gotten up at 3am to get to the airport that morning. But she regrouped. Finally, everything is ready and we look around the living room at all the bins, boxes and containers wondering how we are ever going to fit it all in the van. We were supposed to load that night but tiredness got the better of us. It's past midnight and I know there's more Monica needs to do, there always is, but I really thought we were close. Janeane heads to bed about 1 and Monica and I sit down to do the tour map book. It probably took twice as long as it should to mapquest all the locations, print them out and put them in the book. Tiredness led to confusion led to reprints and skipped pages and computer and printer mishaps but we were finally finished around 3:30am.
5:30am the alarm goes off and I am wide awake. I thought packing the van was going to be difficult but I've watched Harlan the last few years and was able to do it by myself. When Monica came out at one point with a shower cap on because she was dying her hair I almost lost it, but we still managed were to get on the road early.
Elisa

Rally Stop Woodland, NC

Many people my not know that my very first deceased person recovery was a child, since that day it has always stuck with me and normally I pass on children cases to other CUE members to work on, only because it is very hard for me and finding  the body of one child would be enough for any one in a life time. Not that I don't from time to time work cases of the little ones but its just difficult, which is what Phyllis Powell"s case is, a child who was snatched up in the light of the day,  but a case that has lived in the darkness for close to six decades. But let me tell where you will find hope shinning in any given day, a little country town called Woodland. The family of this child will never give up in there search or in the hope of finding her one day! 

When we arrived we were welcome like family that was just there last week and the book made from duck tape laid on the table for all to see, simple but made with total love. We are gathered under the big shade tree in the yard, at that very moment I could see where Phyllis played and the community that surrounded her, most all family. It bothered me that now you realize someone most likely took this child that knew her, the community was to close knit. Will it ever be proven? Will this family ever see justice or can we find her? Bu her family and supporters right now was just happy that we stopped their to bring a reminder of her case and were grateful to honor her. 

I cannot believe all the cases out there in this world that have the number of years on them, it takes someone willing to go the extra mile to get them solve, I find myself feeling upset that the fact remains here for this case. We got called in on this case only two years ago and their was no picture of this child as the family did not have one. The first thing I thought how could anyone every find someone when you don"t know who to look for? We jumped into getting a forensic artist to the location, our friend and supporter Diana Trepkov came at our request for help as she has many times over the years. Diana, Lori and Eddie Jay stayed with the family until it was done and approved by the family! 

Now, we have a picture, it meant a lot to me to feature the case on the first tour able to because now I can show the world the face and age progression of this previous little girl that was lost before my time. The small task to get started sometimes in a task are the greatest gifts too family, someone cared, someone provided real help and someone came. I smile driving away from Phyllis Powell"s rally stop because that is who CUE is and being the founder of such a great purpose and great dedicated people, I feel accomplished in that task, knowing many more are to be conquered. 

Monica Caison LYMI

Woodland NC

When we were mapping out the rally stops the other night I remember thinking about the location of this one. It was being held at Phyllis Memorial Garden in Woodland, NC (10/3/13 3:30pm). Is this a cemetery?  The stop was being held for Missing Phyllis Powell, hosted by her brother, Buddy Powell.  Maybe they picked it because it has her name.  Maybe they picked it because they're family plot is there or they put something there for her. As we round the corner onto the block it becomes apparent that we are going to a home. It's Buddy's home. Ok, I was wrong, I remember briefly thinking before getting out of the van.
Phyllis Powell went missing on Jan 11, 1963. That deserves repeating, Phyllis Powell went missing in 1963. I was not even born in 1963. She was 5 years old when she disappeared from in front of a friends house where she was last seen jumping and skipping up and down the stairs leading to the house of a neighbor. Phyllis' family does not even have one photograph of her. She was one of what would be 11 siblings. We set up on a picnic table in the yard and met with her extended family. Buddy had a table set up upon which was a scrapbook of newspaper articles and letters. It was a large book, larger than even a coffee table book I think, made out of cardboard and the front was wrapped in duck tape. It said " What happen to Phyllis Lorrain Powell Missing around 12:00 noon January 11 1963 It is time we find out 1999 The Powell Vinson Family God is good all the time". Another page that tore at my heart said "Ma Ma If God allow me to live long enough I promise I will find out what happened to your child Phyllis. William Buddy Powell ". This family amazed me, they recalled every detail of the day she disappeared 50 years ago. We discussed theories and how back then things were different and investigations were different.
In 2012 CUE arranged for forensic artist Diana Trepkov to work with the family in creating a portrait. Finally they had a picture to match their memories. An age progression was also created and as I looked at the photos I could see the resemblance to all the family members around me.
At one point an elderly wheelchair bound aunt quietly said " Wouldn't it be a good day if Phyllis came walking up to the house". We were on the same block that she went missing from so long ago, just 2 houses down actually. As we sat discussing what may have actually occurred that day so long ago the pain that this family feels went right through me. You never get over having someone you love vanish. Phyllis' older sister told us about the toll it took on her and other family members. Buddy explained his promise to his mother that he would continue to search. One generation passes off the torch to the next. The need for resolution continues. This stop has hit me a lot more than I thought it would.
As the press were taking pictures I noticed them looking at something in the front yard. Walking up to the flagpole with planted flowers in front I came across the plaque that solved my earlier mystery. "In memory of Phyllis Powell missing Jan. 11, 1963 Age 5" so we are at Phyllis Memorial Garden.
Elisa

Rally Stop Laurinburg, NC

The case of Delwin Locklear is dear to my heart as I have been on this case and searching for him years now. Many things have helped me grow and one of those things I have taken away from this case is friendship. Harlan has taken this tour with me for seven years, he is at my side on countless searches and has been a true (soulmate) friend if their is such a thing. I will always be grateful for the year he called and said he was going on the tour that year, you see my best friend Selina had sudden died and through my heartbreak I worried about the tour she had founded it with me, it was our creation and how she lived for the road tour each year. Their are to many special times, to list that my friend Harlan and I have shared over the years; he remains loyal to those who are missing even when he still is seeking resolution for his own case, his nephew, Delwin. 

Many of our families came to the rally stop like Jessica Lowery, Ricky Bethea, Roger Chambers and law officials spoke on behalf of Kimberly Thrower all who remain missing and families still waiting - hoping for answers. One family is too many, we will never give up in our search efforts for any of them. During the tour it becomes overwhelming when you are forced to slow down and look into all the faces of the families left behind and all the pain that is left lingering in mid air for all those near by to breathe. I am reminded of all the families along the way in my 19 year journey of service to the missing that we still remain in this silent crisis mode, we have to keep doing more to make a change. 

I leave our first stop knowing ten days are ahead of this same experience of stop after stop all different but always that same look, a desire to know the truth, hungry for something to break, a change from the current status. I silently say a prayer for the families of the missing persons families and beg God to send peace throughout our journey ahead.

Monica Caison LYMI 

Laurinburg, NC 10/3/13 10:30am

Our first rally stop of the 2013 RTRT was held in front of the Laurinberg Sheriff's Department. This stop hosted by  Harlen Chavis was for Missing Delwin Locklear, Missing Roger Chambers, Missing Jessica Lowery and Missing Ricky Bethea. Delwin was 27 years old when he went missing in 2004. Roger was last seen in 2010. He was 34 years and his vehicle, a 1993 Green Camry, is also still missing. Jessica was 25 when she disappeared in 2005, and Ricky was 43 when he was last seen in 2004.
We had gotten off to a really good start that morning, no sleep, but the adrenaline kicked in as we pulled in (early) and were greeted by Harlen's big smiling face. We had his matching  shirt ready for him and were surprised to see that he was already wearing the correct color of the day.  As I began unloading the van a woman came up to help and I recognized her, which caused me to look around and realize that I knew all 4 families. I was aware that it was Delwin's stop and that I knew most of the Locklear/Chavis clan but I hadn't put it together until then that all of the missing persons at this stop had been featured on the tour the last time we traveled through 2 years ago. Which started me thinking about how there were many stops this year  that will be hosted by friends because we are traveling closer to my home this year, some were hosts 2 years ago, and some I have met at the conference. And while I am excited to see people I also wish they no longer needed to host a stop again, that they're missing love one was found.
The first couple  of stops are always chaotic, no matter how organized we think we are we still don't know exactly where things are or what we need to take out of the van. Harlen always puts the banner up first (and takes it down first), then we set up the table not sure of everything we need or what to leave in the van. Certain jobs have been agreed upon (or assigned) yet there are always changes and each stop is different. For example, we had put together one bin of a variety of shirts. Different colors and different sizes. Well, we never had the right color in the right size and I must have climbed into the back of the van 10 times. Of course it didn't help that people kept changing their minds. "You know I think a large would fit better or I changed my mind about the color". Talk about getting hot and sweaty! So, first change, from now on all the bins come out.
We stood and listened to the family speeches, and someone from the Sheriff's Department gave us flyers to bring on the tour on another missing girl. Kimberly Thrower, who was 16 when she went missing in 2004. She was last seen in the morning leaving for school.
The rally ended with us gathering in a circle for our first prayer and balloon release of the tour.  I really enjoy the releases. As we all stand together watching all the balloons fly up and out of sight you get a moment to reflect on everything you witnessed over the past hour and think about the missing from that stop. It also to me signifies the end of one stop and the beginning of the next.
Then we packed up the van and loaded Harlen's luggage. Time to say goodbye to some old friends with the hope that we would not have to return. My sincere hope is the next time I see them it's at the conference sitting up front at the Riverside vigil.
Elisa

Pictures