For the children

Brownsville to observe Grief Awareness Month

Brigitte Ortiz | THE RIDER

The Brownsville City Commission has designated November as Children’s Grief Awareness Month and Nov. 19 as Children’s Grief Awareness Day.

Julie Herrington, director of community engagement for the Children’s Bereavement Center-Rio Grande Valley, said she met with Commissioner At-Large “A” John Cowen almost two years ago to write the proclamation.

“We are most appreciative to [Mayor Trey Mendez] and the entire commission,” Herrington said during Tuesday night’s city commission meeting. “We received our proclamation today in the mail, signed by everyone, and we are so grateful.”

She said grieving the death of a loved one is most challenging for children because they lack the knowledge, experience and vocabulary needed to ask questions and express their feelings, which can leave them feeling sorrowful or isolated.

In observance of Veterans Day, Mendez honored city employees who are veterans or on active duty and all other U.S. veterans in a proclamation.

“Whereas, in conjunction with Veterans Day on November 11, 2020, the City of Brownsville is proud to recognize the men and women in our city, state and nation who have served to protect our freedom,” he read from the proclamation.