Way of Remembrance

At their core, public statues and murals are society’s way of remembrance. They have the incredible capacity to, at times, unite or divide us. They illustrate that in the end, it is the responsibility of each generation to determine who or what deserves to be remembered.

T.J. Huckleberry Executive Officer Berks County Medical Society

As posterity has shown, the subjects our community chooses to honor need to be more than just a famous face or a singular event, but a unifying message that inspires the masses. In the coming months, a dedicated group of artists, advocates, and leaders will join together to give us just that. Two murals will be erected in the City of Reading depicting the faces of recovery. They artistically portray uplifting stories of hope. They do not celebrate a victory or revere a hero but commemorate the spirit of an individual’s journey.

Each stroke of the paintbrush will represent the arduous struggle of those in recovery, and the unbelievable strength and support of their friends and family. Each stroke will recognize the thankless work of those in the trenches who provide prevention, education, and recovery support to our community. Each stroke will be in the memory of those who tragically succumbed to the disease. As the last of the paint dries, all that work will embody a message of hope and perseverance. A message that we all should feel proud to pass on to the next generation.

This edition celebrates this ideal. We celebrate their message. We celebrate that we, as a community, recognize those in recovery with empathy. And that we no longer see them through a jaded lens of stigma. On behalf of Berks SOS and The Response I hope, like our new murals, you find this edition to be a positive resource for you and our community.