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A memorial event was held at The Colise inn Lewiston, Maine, on Friday to commemorate one year since the mass shooting that left 18 people dead on Oct. 25, 2023.The commemoration honored those affected by last year’s tragic events at Just-In-Time Recreation and Schemengees Bar & Grille, as well as those who responded and continue to support Lewiston and other Maine communities.New England Sports Network broadcaster Tom Caron, a Lewiston native, served as the master of ceremonies for the commemoration.The honor guard that presented the nation’s colors was made up of police officers and firefighters from Lewiston and Auburn. The Maine State Police Pipe and Drum Unit then performed “Amazing Grace” before the national anthem was performed by the Lewiston High School Choir.The song “Save You a Seat” by Alex Warren was played before the names of the 18 victims killed in the mass shooting were read aloud as their photos were shown in a slideshow.Liz Seal, the wife of shooting victim Joshua Seal, spoke about how the connections that have been made following the tragedy, comparing them to strands in a spider web.”These connections have formed a spider web of a beautiful community that will forever be ‘Lewiston Strong’ and I am proud to be a part of it,” Liz Seal said. “I love you all.”The crowd gathered at The Colise then heard from Joanna Stokinger, the lead advocate at the Maine Resiliency Center, and Tony-nominated actress Lauren Ridloff, who played Marvel’s first deaf superhero in “Eternals” and is also known for her role on “The Walking Dead.”Two moments of silence were then held. The first was for the eight people who were shot and killed at Just-In-Time Recreation: Tricia Asselin, Thomas Conrad, Michael Deslauriers, Bob Violette, Lucy Violette, Jason Walker, Aaron Young and William Young.The second moment of silence was held for the 10 people who were shot and killed at Schemengees Bar & Grille: Billy Brackett, Peyton Brewer-Ross, Maxx Hathaway, Bryan MacFarlane, Keith Macneir, Ron Morin, Joshua Seal, Arthur Strout, Stephen Vozella and Joe Walker.Information about the development of a permanent memorial was also shared during the event.”There will be a memorial and it will not be for a few, but for all of us, and we understand how crucial it is to engage those most impacted,” said Shanna Cox, president and chief executive officer of the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. “Your voices. Your experiences. Your memories. These are what will shape the memorial and the journey to create it is as important as the memorial itself.”Community members can visit OneLewiston.org to sign up for updates on the planning process and contribute their thoughts.”Your input will help us create something that truly honors our shared journey and ensures this memorial reflects the strength of compassion and unity that has carried us through,” Cox said.People who attended the commemoration were invited to bring small items, messages or keepsakes, which will be preserved and catalogued as part of the Maine MILL Memorial Collection. Some items may become part of the permanent memorial or displayed in future museum exhibits.Maine Resiliency Center consultant Regina Schulman, who led the moments of silence, then delivered remarks about resilience.Thomas Minch, a deaf advocate and project director for Disability Rights Maine, then spoke about the community’s shared journey before the Rev. Sarah Gillespie addressed the crowd.The event closed with the playing of the song “I Am Not Okay” by Jelly Roll.The commemoration was hosted by the One Lewiston Resilience Fund Committee in partnership with the city of Lewiston, Chamber of Commerce and Maine Resiliency Center.