AUBURN, Maine — The city of Auburn has honored two victims killed in the Lewiston shooting by dedicating two fields at Pettengill Park in their memory.
The city unveiled Tricia Asselin Memorial Field and Joe Walker Memorial Field on Sunday.
Asselin and Walker were both regulars at Pettengill Park, where they played softball for years. Those who play on the fields will play a part in keeping their legacies alive.
"There’s been a lot of hard days, and today’s a great day," Bobbi Nichols, Asselin's sister, said. Nichols was at the bowling alley with her sister at the time of the shooting.
"My life is very hard without her because, you know, you can’t replace your sister," she said. However, Nichols said days when she can remember Asselin's selfless, caring heart are days she cherishes.
“I know my sister’s heart, and she feels it. She feels it. She’s here, and she’s so proud, and I am so proud of her," Nichols said.
Joe Walker's family also attended the ceremony. His wife, Tracey, said some days are more difficult than others.
“We wake up trying to face the day because we know he didn’t want us to be sad all the time," Tracey said.
The Walker family was emotional as the sign was unveiled, but Tracey said it reminds her of the joyful life he lived.
“It’s great to know that the community is there for us, and I think they’ll always be there for us," she said. “This is one of the fields that he played a lot of his games on, and it’s great that they dedicated this field to him.”