Pregnancy, Infant Loss Awareness Month honored; 'Wave of Light' candlelight vigil held at Chapel Oct. 15

  • Published
  • By Pacifica Chehy
  • Staff Writer
ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. --  For most, October 21 was an ordinary day here. But for Christina Juneau, wife of Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Juneau, a VR53 flight engineer, and their family, it was not just a date on the calendar because it marks when they lost their 6-day old son, Michael Jr. 

"I lost my son here at the base [in 2006]. He died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and ASD, an atrial septal defect," said Mrs. Juneau. "And since then, I've really wanted to do something to help other families who may have had a similar experience." 

Cassie Veon and Senior Airman Dwight Veon, 316th Security Forces Squadron protective service member, lost their almost five-month old son, Aaron Scott, May 28, 2008. "Before Aaron was born we knew he had a serious, but treatable, birth defect called esophageal atresia, where the esophagus is not connected to the stomach. He also had a heart defect," said Mrs. Veon. 

After numerous surgeries, Aaron passed away. "His body was tired and he could no longer fight. He went into cardiac arrest and his lungs collapsed, but the doctors could not fix him after more than two hours of trying." 

"We thought that a ceremony would be a way for families to get out and connect with other people who have gone through a similar experience. This candlelight service is a way to be able to talk with others who have gone through it and memorialize your child," said Mrs. Veon. 

The "Wave of Light" candlelight vigil was Oct. 15 at Chapel 3. The service, coordinated by Family Advocacy and the base chapel, commemorates October's designation as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, as proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan in 1988. The service was part of a worldwide commemoration where families lit candles at 7 p.m. in remembrance of babies lost through miscarriage, termination, ectopic and molar pregnancies, stillbirths, and illness. 

"The Andrews population, including patients and staff, is not immune to loss," said Joyce Cravin, Family Advocacy outreach manager. "Our families need to know that the hospital will arrange for the mother to be transferred to another unit and the Air Force will arrange for payment for burial in the families' hometown. Plus, our families need to know that Mortuary Affairs is also involved in the process, as well." 

"Everyone knows someone who has lost a child -- everyone," said Mrs. Juneau. "When I lost my baby, no one knew what to say, what to do. There are people who can help and there are resources." 

The Center for Infant and Child Loss of Southern Maryland donated candles and drip catchers for the commemoration. "Donna Becker at the Center has been so very helpful," Mrs. Juneau said. "Because I've been there, done that, I know I can help others. I am willing to talk to other mothers and their families because I really feel I can help." 

Families who have experienced loss can contact Mrs. Juneau or Mrs. Veon through the Family Advocacy office.