The National Addiction Memorial honors the loved ones we’ve lost.

She was my sister and my best friend. She loved her kids more than anything. She loved her friends and was always willing to help one out in a bad spot even if she couldn't help herself. Its like the upside down here on earth without her.

That's a hard question because I have so many. One of my favorites was us hanging out in our dad's camper on either a Friday or Saturday night. Most our age would have been at a bar or a club. We however were watching The Haunting of Bly Manor and playing with our 2 cats with one of those string toys that looks like a fishing pole. I loved when she would act silly, too many times she put on this im too cool to be goofy persona, and she was at her core so goofy!

Just being able to see her, talk to her, hug her. I still reach for my phone to text her, I dont know if that will ever stop. I hate that she won't be here for all the huge milestones her kids hit. Id give anything just to have her back.

As her kids #1 fan, the one in the crowd whooping and hollering the loudest cheering them on in whatever they choose to do.

Sarah was a very spirited big heart ball of fire she had a huge smile and loud laugh

Our adventures together is kids

She was my best friend and sister she was the only person I could relate to on every level

Loving caring funny outgoing forgiving and she was trying so hard

Giovanni was a beautiful human being, who was larger than life. He stood 6'4" tall and wore a size 14 shoe! The largest on both sides of his family. He was so kind and empathetic towards others, and he had a heart of gold.

Him calling me Mommy...he did it until the day he died. And I'll miss him telling me that I was his best friend.

Giovanni tried so hard to be sober. He had so many plans for his life. He loved his family, and struggled with his darkness. He wanted to live.

My son had a great big heart, Always care for everybody, he love music,he even was in a band and played the guitar. And I think he went to every concert there was. He did a lot in 35 years and I am so proud of him. He is deeply missed and loved and forever in our hearts. Forever 35.

There is lots of favorite memories, especially the day he was born. He was definitely a people person and always had a smile. Never had a bad day. He love playing the guitar with his friends.

Definitely miss him, miss him, playing the guitar miss him, becoming a father and getting married and missed what the future holds for him.

Always had a great big smile. I’ll keep his memories forever in our hearts.

Funny, loving, wonderful son, brother, friend, cousin, father!!
Full of life,

Sitting outside in my vehicle for about 4 hours talking and singing to songs on the radio holding hands.
He was my best friend!!

EVERYTHING!!

His loyalty, his love for his family and friends

My son was bold, loyal, so very funny and sarcastic, stubborn, solid, empathetic, considerate, committed and kind. He wasn't afraid or intimidated by others or situations and wasted no time to pursue what he wanted. He was a beautiful human.

His humor when uncertain or even a little scared like jumping out of trees at the lake, his respect towards others, but also his bluntness and his ability to see people for who they truly were. His love for his little sister and the way he put her before anyone else. His strength and always believing in me, even when I made mistakes. Quad rides, Frisbee golf, his love of music, and most of all, the way he said momma, momma!

Every single thing. The good, bad, happy times and struggles. I wouldn't trade one moment with him for anything else.

He was always trying to take care of others and help the under dog, so his kindness and commitment and honesty. He is loved and missed so much by so many people, and I don't think he ever knew how much he mattered.

He had a heart of gold for anyone! He would your back no matter what anyone had to say! The love for his family and friends ws unconditional! He was always phone call away no matter who you were! He cared hard loved even harder! He was fighter for sure.

The phone calls checking up on each either being the voice of reason for one or the other. Being my best friend when I needed him no matter what he was there phone calls checking text it didn’t matter he had my back like I had his.

The phone calls the laughs the jokes and making sure each other was okay

I watch the video Ive made for him,when he passed away on us! The fact there is two songs that me and our two cousins have for christian that I can listen to over and over again and cry just like I did the day I got the news!!

JT was shy but loved people. It was a conundrum. Still, those who knew him thought of him as thoughtful, kind, loving, funny, inspirational, insightful, artistic, adventurous and a joy to be around. He made me proud.

Sitting on a boulder by the sea on the California coast talking about whatever came to mind.

His chuckle (and his hugs)

Faithful

Brendan cared about the weak esp animals

How protective he was over his sister

His loving heart and inquisitive mind

For his love of family

He was a great father and Son. He loved hard. He had a heart of gold.

How he loved his family. He was always there for everyone.

I will miss everything about him. All the love he shared.

Great father, friend, honorable

Ashley was an old soul woman, she loved her son Zach very much. Ashley was always so sweet, gentle, and kind to all she met. Ashley was my best friend and I was so excited to marry her. She suffered from schizoaffective and drug addiction.

Always being able to wake up to her smile, traveling with her and sharing my first trip to the ocean and getting to experience it with her.

The way she loved me and gave me encouragement. Ashley always lit up the room when she entered it. Ash, was very adamant about education of mental health and addiction to help others with the same life history as she had. I will miss her little laugh, smile and the way she was always content when she was with me. Ashley was not a materialistic person she was just fine with the little things in life. I will miss how she would stack rocks while in a nature walk.

I would for her to be remembered by her dedication to helping others. She is to be remembered by being a loving mom to her son and trying effortlessly to fight her addiction problems.

Brandon was my little brother. He made every part of my life more exciting and fun. He loved puzzles, Mind Tricks and just challenges in general. Unfortunately, he couldn't beat the challenge of addiction.

One of my favorite memories of him is watching him record his music and including our children in the vibe.

What I miss the most about Brandon is how passionate he was about the things he loved. Including his family and music for sure.

I would like for Brandon to be remembered as he was. He was a handsome, intelligent, hilarious guy with a wonderful, loving heart.

He was funny, creative, gentle, and occasionally mischievous in a way that endeared him to those who loved him. Zach had a passion for cooking he was a gifted chef, loved music and expressed himself through music and art. He love the outdoors.

Too many to name - So many beautiful memories with Zach

His sense of humor, great cooking and his presence in the room.

As a caring loving soul, ready to listen, ready to help, and as handsome capable man.

Brendon had a heart of gold and would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need. He has one daughter who was the light of his life. He was so proud to be a daddy to his little girl and loved spending time with her and their dog, Jazzy J Heathman.

There's so many but the best was seeing him be a dad to his little girl and watching him spend time with her. Teaching her how to play fetch with Jazzy J, work on cars, how to play basketball, and how to enjoy life.

He had a heart bigger than most and would light up a room when he arrived. He wanted to make people smile and wouldn't stop until he succeeded as he was always the life of the party. He was taken from this earth far too early and left a lot of broken hearts.

~ Float like a butterfly. Sting like a bee ~
We miss you B Lee

She was a wonderful person who would invite other over for holidays so they wouldn't be alone.

Learning the dance to Give me three steps

Her love of the summer and her dislike of the snow, a true summer soul.
Her yeast rolls she made during the holiday season.

A mother, sister, and daughter. Her family was the most important thing to her

One of the most special, big-hearted, funny, creative, young men ever. He loved so hard, so much passion

Too many to pick

The love, all the constant hugs and kisses. His funny, random stories. His smile, his baby blues. His kindness. Being the gentleman I raised.

As a warrior against his addiction, never gave up, always got back up. That he had a beautiful soul and was so loving,kind and generous to others.

Jessica is my oldest daughter and has quite a sparkle in her eyes as well as a fiery personality.

Sleepovers she had with her friends. The laughter and giggles all into the night.

EVERYTHING

As a wonderful human being. Not another statistic.

"SISTER" has the most beautiful blue eyes, infectious laugh and quick wit. A strong love for her family especially her children.

When SISTER was little we never knew what was going to come out of her mouth. The truth spoken by a child is never with malice. And wow was she smart.

Calling and saying "HI, MAMA, IT'S ME". She loved HARD and that is an asset in itself.

Her parents knew her as SISTER, her friends knew her as JESS. NOT the girl/woman that "used to...". Jessica has never been less than. Sick yes, NEVER less than.

Steven was talented, loving, funny, and fun. He was sensitive and kind, and was there when you needed him. His love of music took him all over the country. His struggles did not define him, and he lived a lot of life in his too-short 32 years.

A few of my favorite Steven quotes:
"And I want a new straw, too!"
"Holy shoot!"
"Peace out, kick rocks"
"Mmmmmmlove ya"

His laugh, his hugs, his singing out of key. His steering wheel drumming and his animated story-telling. His weekly phone calls and sharing things that reminded him of me. Most of all, I miss being his big sister.

As someone who truly loved life and did his best to live it fully. As a music lover and a great friend. As a good time, a road trip companion, and a little brother. I think he'd like to be remembered as someone who tried hard, fell down, and got back up. As someone who loved you all, and thought of you always.

My dad could make friends anywhere he went. He was loud, funny, full of heart and always ready with a joke, a story (told for the hundredth time), or a helping hand. But more than anything, he loved seeing the people around him happy.

I’ll never forget my dad teaching me how to parallel park (LOL). He was so stressed out and didn’t think I’d ever get it, but eventually I did! I can still hear him yelling, “Turn your wheel! Straighten it out!” It’s one of my favorite memories because it reminds me of his patience and humor (even when I was driving him crazy).

I’ll miss the way he could make friends anywhere, his random phone calls just to talk, and how he always made sure I was okay. Most of all, I’ll miss knowing he was just a call away ready to listen or give me advice. He never gave up on his family and made us feel strong, important, and loved. He was the true definition of unconditional love and would’ve done anything for us. We will miss him for the rest of our lives. A void that can never be filled.

He would want people to remember him at his best. He’d want everyone to know he was a believer in God and tried to live life as a good person. He’d want people to remember the good times, the laughter, and the love he gave us. Most of all, he’d want to be remembered as a strong, hardworking family man who loved being loud, proud, and Puerto Rican through and through. BORICUA!!