People gather to remember those who died from overdose in Miami Valley

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Aaron Holman, the lead pastor at Eaton First Church of God, said he understands how lonely addiction can feel.

“I lost my mom eight years ago to alcoholism and liver failure,” he said. “I celebrated 18 years sober this spring.”

Holman’s milestone is a big one that took a lot of work to reach. While in active addiction, Holman said he felt like he was in a hole that he couldn’t crawl out of.

“I just failed out of college. And if I could see my life as it is now, I’ve got three kids, I’ve got an amazing wife, and I wouldn’t have really thought those things possible,” Holman said.

Many people gathered around a memorial tree planted at Fort St. Clair Park years ago. On Sunday, they gathered to honor people who died from an overdose.

Signs of people’s loved ones surrounded the tree.

“This event has been very special to us,” said Amy Raynes, Preble County Mental Health and Recovery Board Executive Board Director.

Raynes said that she often notices that family members who have lost a loved one to drugs carry a lot of guilt.

She hopes that having a dedicated day to raise awareness for addiction brings them some peace.

“This is definitely the event that makes me feel like what we do is super important,” Raynes said.

Holmes said he hopes that this helps people move past the stigma associated with drug addiction.

“And I hope we can move past some of the stigma, where people see someone that they know and they know their life story, and rather than viewing that person you know as an outsider, to embrace them,” Holmes said.

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