Unveiling the AIDS Memorial Quilt
Task Force staff, supporters and friends volunteered with Quilt In the Capital this week to display the AIDS Memorial Quilt on the National Mall during the 19th International AIDS Conference. The Task Force has been fighting HIV/AIDS from the beginning, and there are quilt panels with names of former Task Force staffers, as well as panels created by current and former Task Force staff to commemorate those we’ve lost to AIDS.
The AIDS Memorial Quilt is so large that, in addition to being displayed along a massive stretch of the National Mall, its 48,000-plus panels were also on display in more than 60 locations around D.C. It took all morning for dozens of volunteers to unfold and display the panels.
Task Force staff and supporters unfold and display panels of the AIDS Memorial Quilt.
While the AIDS Memorial Quilt was being unfolded and displayed, individuals took part in the reading of the names from the main stage. It was an incredible and touching sight. After volunteering to display the panels, Task Force staffers were able to participate in the reading of the names, alongside notable figures such as Elton John and Jeanne White-Ginder, mother of Ryan White. Watch the video here:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owm8uZDB_nU&feature=youtu.be]
Task Force Executive Director Rea Carey reading the names.
Task Force staff member Janice Thom, who wrote a personal reflection on the AIDS Memorial Quilt and organized the volunteer effort, reads the names of those who’ve died of AIDS.
Daniel Pino reading names at the AIDS Memorial Quilt. He wrote a blog about his experience with the quilt.
You can view all of the photos from our day with the quilt on Facebook. For more information, and to view panels online, visit www.aidsquilt.org.
