The Yellow Heart Memorial, marking the fourth anniversary since Texas declared the onset of the pandemic, is set to commence with an opening ceremony on Wednesday, March 13, from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Irving Archives and Museum (IAM), located at 801 W. Irving Blvd. Named "More Than a Number," the memorial pays tribute to 250 families who lost loved ones to COVID-19, with attendees expected from various parts of the nation.
Irving Mayor Rick Stopfer will deliver a speech during the event, alongside Shay Cathey, senior policy advisor to Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins. The memorial, which aims to honor the memories of those who succumbed to the virus, will remain accessible to the public until April 7.
Featuring pillars adorned with photographs and names, the memorial portrays the lives of individuals like Mary Castro, who wore a beaming smile with a tiara on her birthday; Bobby McCoskey, known for his dedication to the Salvation Army; and Michael Eddie Suarez, a football enthusiast who cherished moments with his wife.
The initiative for the Yellow Heart Memorial was spearheaded by Rosie Davis, a COVID survivor advocate from Texas, in memory of her mother, who passed away in May 2020. Since its inception in January 2021 at the IAM, the memorial has expanded its reach nationally and internationally, becoming a poignant symbol of remembrance.
