The crowd gathered for the National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day on Monday honored both those who were not able to escape the streets and those who have been able to start a new path.

The third annual ceremony, held Monday afternoon at Veterans Memorial Park, honored the lives of Joe Lopez and William Roberts, two men who died while homeless this past year.

Lopez, who served in the U.S. Army in 1972, was well known among the homeless community and local service agencies. He was one day away from moving into the 18-month Kenosha Human Development Services Supportive Housing Program when he died on Feb. 19.

“He meant so much to all of us,” said Jo Wynn, founder of Walkin’ in My Shoes homeless assistance. “He was not just a homeless man; he was a veteran.”

Earl Ahern said Lopez was like a brother, and he was shaken by his death earlier this year.

“We are all brothers and sisters,” Ahern said. “A lot of people don’t realize that the bottom could drop out.”

The ceremony also remembered Roberts, who formerly lived at the downtown YMCA. Roberts found other housing options once the YMCA closed at the end of August, but he passed away several weeks later.

Balloons were released for Lopez, Roberts and for all those who have died homeless.

Wynn said the homeless are not simply numbers or cases for local service agencies.

“We sign you on as a family,” Wynn said. “We are all a family.”

Agencies ready to help

Wynn spoke of the difficulties facing Kenosha’s homeless and the agencies attempting to help them, but Monday was also about being thankful for progress that has been made.

Wynn referenced three Marine veteran brothers — Tim, Scott and Ken Pietruszynski — who were living in parks in downtown Kenosha but have relocated to Seattle. And several people at Monday’s ceremony were recognized for recently moving into housing.

“It is up to you to want to change your life,” Wynn said. “There is a way out of here, but you have to have the will.”

Steven Johnson was one of those who had seen his life move forward in the last year, having now enrolled in the Supportive Housing Program.

“I honestly thought I was going to die out here,” Johnson said.

Taking control

Patricia Woods-Clark, pastor for Straitway Ministry, urged those in attendance to make that change in their lives.

“There is no hope out here. There is no hope on the streets,” Woods-Clark said. “The winter is no joke in Kenosha.”

Wynn, who said service agencies have also increasingly had to work on keeping low-income families in their homes, said the memorial and the hard work of local homeless agencies will always be there as long as the needs exist.

“As long as God gives me breath, I will be here,” Wynn said.