Memorials

People who die alcohol related deaths are just like you. They are young and beautiful, full of dreams and aspirations, with their whole lives ahead of them. They are students, sisters, brothers, mothers, fathers, and friends. Read their stories. You will find their situations are not all that different from your own.

Anna Kirstina Bonde
Home City: Livonia, MI
Age: 19
Crash Anniversary: March 17, 2001
Anna Kirstina Bonde was a shining star. She loved God, people and nature. She had the voice of an angel and a passion for theater. She had a sparkle in her eyes, a beautiful smile, and an infectious laugh. But best of all, she was kind, thoughtful, humble, and had a gift for making everyone feel special.

Anna, age 19, was killed by a wrong-way drunk driver on March 17, 2001 along with her friends, Sally and Christopher. Their close friends, Nick and Ethan survived the crash, but along with the thousands of people who loved them, deeply mourn the tragic loss of Anna, Chris and Sally.

James Alvarado
Home City: Galesburg, IL
Age: 22
Crash Anniversary: May 2, 2005
Jimmy was an outgoing, friendly and enthusiastic person. On May 1, 2005 Jimmy's daughter was born. Excited that his daughter and best friend now shared the same birthday, he decided to go out and celebrate his daughter's birth and his best friend's birthday. At the bar he was drinking with friends and telling them that he was a new daddy and this was the last time he would be out and about like this. On the way back to the hospital his best friend was driving too fast and the car crashed, killing Jimmy immediately. He was thrown from the car and died on impact. Jimmy now is a father never known and a man never forgotten.

Karl Wayne Burniston
Home City: Bossier City, LA
Age: 20
Crash Anniversary: January 14, 1996
Two college friends returning home from a night out celebrating the end of college break. They were making plans to attend a Mardi Gras celebration and talking about girls. For an undetermined reason, the car left the parish (county) road and crashed into a telephone pole impacting on the right front side. The passenger was killed instantly. The driver suffered minor injuries and it was determined that he was driving under the influence of alcohol.
I am Karl's mother, a friend to the driver, and a mother to two other sons. We miss you.
Karl, you remain the beautiful 20 year old, full of life, and bursting into a room to "hold court" in your magical ways. The love you brought to your world remains in our hearts. I don't know why God needs you more than I do, but you know now. I am touched daily by the uniqueness of you. Although you live on in my heart, I miss the sight of you. The sound of your laughter rings in my ears. I yearn for one of your hugs. I will miss having loved your wife and having held your babies to my heart.
Love,
Mom

Amy Danielle Clark
Home City: Whitmire, SC
Age: 21
Crash Anniversary: April 5, 1997
Police were chasing the drunk driver at a very high speed that ended with a head-on collision with my daughter (Amy) killing her instantly.
In loving memory of Amy Danielle Clark

Those we love remain with us,
for love itself lives on.
Cherished memories never fade
because a loved one is gone.
Those we love can never be
more than a thought apart.
For as long as there is memory,
they'll live on in our hearts.
We miss you, but will never forget you.

Mom, Dad and brother

Brenda Dill
Home City: Grayson, KY
Age: 22
Crash Anniversary: August 29, 2003
Brenda was 22 years old. She, her husband of 3 years, and her 2 month old daughter had just moved to Kentucky from Indiana to attend Kentucky Christian College. She was on a trip back to Indiana (20 minutes from home), and a drunk driver pulled onto the highway going the wrong direction. Brenda didn't make it. Now her daughter is forced to grow up never having known her mom. What makes this even more sad is this was not the man's first time driving drunk. Where did the court system fail us. We are still waiting for a trial. I love Brenda more than anything, and pray everyday that I could have one more day with her. Take time today and hug everyone you love!!!!