Seat At An Empty Table

Every year in October the Battered Women's Project in Maine hosts several events in honor of those we have lost (in their state) due to Domestic Violence. One of the events that they do is something called "Seat At An Empty Table". The easiest way to explain that is: The set a table for 4 people, each place setting memorializes one specific/individual person who's life was lost as a result of domestic violence.

It's a very nice display and something I have taken on, as my "job" till Giuliana gets older and I can pass it on to her. I want her to take time out every day to remember Vance, in any way she can (She was born after he had passed) and doing these events with the BWP will be a good way for her to express herself as she gets older.

Last year I painted a picture frame to match the place setting I had decided to use. Vance loved Scooby Doo, so I wanted to use that as his "theme". I decided to send the photo and frame because through out all the newspaper coverage his story received, they never posted a picture of him. No one had ever seen his beautiful little face.



Well they have now. A newspaper called the Pioneer Times in Houlton ran a story after they interviewed Stephen by phone. They also ran this picture on their front page last year. Vance ceased to be just a name they read in the paper a few years ago. Hopefully, they will never forget his face or his tragic ending.

Here is the Memorial I typed up that was also displayed with his place setting

Stephen Vance Ketzel Fort Kent, Maine
Vance was only 2 years old when he died on September 8, 2004. Although such a short stay here on Earth, Vance was a bright and cheerful little boy who loved the beach and motorcyles and left behind so many loved ones that miss him every day. Since his death, Vance has also become a big brother to two very special little girls. Every girl needs a big brother, a protector, to watch out for them. Instead, these two little girls, will grow up knowing their protector is a very special Guardian Angel, their big brother Vance.


ETA: I sent the display again this year, and it's to be set up in Fort Kent where he lived for a short while and passed away. Vance's Mother and Sister (other) still live there.