Staff Report

A small gathering of people met at Central Park Friday night to remember a US Solider who died after she disappeared.

Vanessa Guillén is the 20-year-old US Army soldier who was found dead after she disappeared April 22 at Fort Hood, Texas.

The candlelight vigil attracted about 35 people to the Central Park Plaza Friday night, July 3. The event was organized by People of Change, a local group that organized four recent rallies following the death of George Floyd.

Family and others contend Guillen’s disappearance was not handled correctly by the military.

Organizers Maria Medina and Ofy Rios used Guillen’s death to draw attention to sexual harassment and misconduct in the military.

Another woman who said she served in the US Marines for five years, told the crowd of her own instances of harassment and a failure by leaders to take her concerns seriously.

The event ended with a moment of silence, a lighting of candles and the placing of a memorial near the Kosciusko County Justice Building.