PORT ANGELES — On the day that she would have turned 21, Melissa Carter’s friends and family made sure she wasn’t forgotten.
A group of 50 turned out at Lincoln High School on Tuesday to dedicate a bench in Carter’s memory.
The steel bench is painted pink and blue and has a plaque with Carter’s name that reads: “Forever in our hearts.”
Carter, 15, was murdered in December 2004 and her body was found near the Port Angeles Waterfront Trail east of the Port Angeles Red Lion Hotel.
“It’ll stand for a long, long time,” said Carla Carter, Melissa’s mother, after a short ceremony that featured music, prayers and a balloon release.
“It doesn’t bring Melissa back, but it keeps her close to everybody’s memories.”
The bench sits on a concrete platform facing east near the entrance to the high school Melissa Carter attended.
The wood, frame, cement, artwork, plaque, hardware, carpentry and construction were all donated.
“We tried for the last two years to get a bench,” Carla Carter said.
“We wanted it down at the waterfront. Just because of the cost — and I think they really didn’t want a bench that reminded people of the tragedy that happened down there at the waterfront — we just kind of put the word out there that we wanted this to happen.”
Carter credited Susan Hillgren, president of the new nonprofit for at-risk youth called The Answer for Youth, or TAFY, center for spearheading the effort to have the bench installed.
“Everybody just came together and started donating and made it happen,” Carter said.
“It’s been a long work in progress. A lot of people pitched in.”
Tom Gagnon donated the wood. Johnny Shoemaker donated the art. Lincoln Welding Industrial donated the frame.
Angeles Concrete donated the cement. Timm and Cindy Kelly donated the plaque. Angeles Millwork donated the hardware.
Rick Hillgren was the project foreman. Sequim Building Trades donated the carpentry. The Port Angeles School District allowed the group to put the bench on school property.
“Here, now, in honor of Melissa, is place for everyone and anyone to find rest,” said Pastor Tim Hughes of First Baptist Church, who spoke during the ceremony.
Chuck Hyatt, a friend of Hillgren’s, performed three songs on an acoustic guitar.
“This bench is for Melissa, but it’s also for everyone,” said Hillgren, before reading a poem she wrote during the ceremony.
Many of those gathered sang “Kumbaya” as eight purple, blue and pink balloons were released in Melissa Carter’s memory.
“She’s not here, but she’s certainly not forgotten,” Carla Carter said.
Carter’s murderer, Robert Covarrubias, pleaded guilty last July — after having been convicted and then granted a new trial by the state Court of Appeals — and was sentenced to 34 ½ years in prison.
________
Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
