Published: May 06, 2008 05:32 pm         

Blue ribbon memorial brings attention to 1,266 abused children

A society is judged by how it treats its weakest rather than its strongest.

That's what Tony Craighead, district attorney general, stated at the Cumberland County Blue Ribbon Memorial Ceremony.

The ceremony, held April 29, brought awareness to the 1,266 children in the county who were victimized through child abuse or neglect.

Crossville Mayor J.H. Graham III and Cumberland County Mayor Brock Hill issued proclamations declaring April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.

"Children are a unique pleasure and a joy," said Graham. "Because of their special nature, we must do everything we can to protect them from harm."

Hill referred to child abuse as a "serious and growing problem" in our nation.

Greg Byram, an adult survivor of childhood abuse, acted as the guest speaker for the evening.

He noted 1,266 children equate to roughly the amount of students at CCHS.

"You can think every child you see could be a victim of child abuse," Byram said. "We need to give the children a voice and say, 'Not on our watch!'"

After briefly mentioning his football credentials and 10 years spent in the Marine Corps, Byram said his greatest accomplishment was surviving child abuse.

Byram noted the types of treatment he had been through after his parents separated and he was with his mother and her boyfriend. He listed such acts as being burned with cigarettes, being abandoned for hours and being beaten with pots, pans and other objects.

He described a memory of having boiling water poured on him before waking up in a police station after being left in the corner of a women's restroom. Eventually, Byram would live with his grandparents.

"I thank God for sparing my life," he said. "I've been blessed with another set of parents. And I've learned the beaten don't have to beat."

The audience gave Byram a standing ovation for his words of testimony.

Cumberland County Sheriff Butch Burgess followed by saying research shows abused children suffer more from post-tramautic syndrome than soldiers who have been at war.

"[Child abuse] can't be fixed in Washington. It can't be fixed in Nashville. It must be fixed here," Burgess stated.

First United Methodist Church "His Kids Singers" and "His Kids Ringers" provided the opening music. Fairfield Glade First Baptist Church Children's "Praise Crew" performed the closing music.

Joe Neal, Exchange Club/Stephens Center Family Services coordinator and West Avenue Church of Christ minister, offered the opening prayer.

The Blue Ribbon Memorial Tree project and ceremony were conducted by the following: The Exchange Club/Holland J. Stephens Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse; TennderCare (Cumberland County Health Department); The Lake Tansi Exchange Club; The Crossville Exchange Club; Cumberland Mountain Mental Health Center; LBJ&C Head Start-Crossville; Cumberland Children's Center/House of Hope Avalon Center; the Upper Cumberland Child Advocacy Center; and United Fund.

Those presenting the ceremony thanked to the following supporters: SignSmith; Pugh's Florist; A-Z Printing; city of Crossville; PEG Broadcasting 102.5; Greg and Sherri Byram; Crossville/Cumberland County Youth Center (Kirby Pride); the Crossville Chronicle; and Home Decor.