Warren PA Elisa

We were on the road early this morning but it's all good because we got a decent night's sleep. Today we are starting off at the City of Warren Police Department. They are hosting the stop in conjunction with the family of Damien Sharp, Janeane Shanahan's missing son. After Janeane hands press packages to Monica she takes off her Road To Remember Tour volunteer hat and segues into her missing momma role.

The press conference included speeches by the Damien's detective, the chief of police, the DA and a representative from Crimestoppers. Then Janeane was able to tell about Damien, all she has been through since he disappeared, her relationships with the others standing besides her, how she discovered CUE, and how she has progressed in the missing persons world. Victim to Advocate. Janeane is no longer a powerless victim without any control. Over the years she has become a voice for the missing and she is now a State Outreach Coordinator for CUE representing both New York State where she lives and Pennsylvania where Damien went missing.

Damien Sharp was 22 years old when he went missing over Memorial Day weekend in 2002. He was last seen leaving his residence saying he would return shortly. He has not been seen or heard from since. The investigation into his disappearance has been reclassified as a homicide.

It was nice to see Janeane's sisters, meet her mother and some of her friends. Helen Zimmel, another State Outreach Coordinator was also there with her family and we all got to meet her baby daughter Parker.

I know today has been extremely difficult for Janeane. This isn't her first time hosting a Road To Remember Tour stop but that doesn't make it any easier. She is like any other mother or family member that hosts a rally. She is both nervous and excited, realistic and hopeful. Damien has been gone 12 years now. She has missed out on so much that so many take for granted. No one deserves to be missing, no family deserves to experience the anguish of not knowing where their loved one is or what happened to them, no mother should have to learn how to go on living in limbo, on the roller coaster ride of the missing persons world. As much as I love Janeane and am thankful for our friendship, I would give it all up in a heartbeat for either one of us not to have had to go through the agony of having a missing son. I hope with all my heart that she never has to hold another stop. I hope with all my heart that she gets the answers she deserves. I hope with all my heart.....

Elisa