Remembering AIDS victims

The Midwest's -- and possibly the nation's -- largest display of the AIDS Memorial Quilt this year will take place in Allendale in Grand Valley's Fieldhouse Arena. More than 1,500 panels will be available for viewing from May 9-12.

Cleve Jones, founder of the NAMES Project Foundation which started the AIDS Memorial Quilt 15 years ago in San Francisco, will speak at the opening ceremony at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 9. Viewing times will be 7-10 p.m. on May 9; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 10 and 11; and noon-5 p.m. on Sunday, May 12. Closing ceremonies and the dedication of new panels will take place at 5 p.m. on Sunday.

The public is encouraged to attend. Admission is free.

Thousands of adults, youth, and children from throughout the state and the Great Lakes region are expected to view the quilt. Education and advocacy will accompany the display, which is sponsored by GVSU, the West Michigan AIDS Memorial Quilt Display committee, and the Kent County Health Department. For more information, call (616) 453-1735.

In its entirety, the AIDS Memorial Quilt is made up of more than 44,000 hand-sewn, 3-by-6-foot panels, each commemorating one or more loved ones lost to AIDS. According to the Names Project Web site (www.aidsquilt.org) the quilt now covers 792,000 square feet and would stretch for 50 miles if panels were laid end to end. The world's largest ongoing community arts project, the continually growing quilt is both a poignant memorial and a powerful tool for prevention education.