It was a somber crowd in a beautiful setting. There were handshakes, hugs and sad smiles on long faces.
On the evening of May 16, people throughout the Upper Keys community and Homestead attended a memorial service at Harry Harris Park for Merrick James Dunn.
Dunn, a 15-year-old student at Coral Shores High School, died in a rollover crash on May 5. A memorial of flowers remains at the site of the accident near the Tavernier Towne Shopping Center.
Pastor Tony Hammon, of the Island Community Church, led the event. He talked about Merrick’s participation in athletics and his great attitude. Hammon gave credit to our community for its support.
“There is no denying the pain. But, look around you at the sharing and the love. This is what makes this community a great place,” he said.
Born on Aug. 7, 2009, Merrick was the cherished son of John Patrick Dunn and Lauren Hoefert Dunn, wonderful big brother to Colin Dunn, and a proud lifelong “Keys kid.” He was a sophomore at Coral Shores High School, where he shined as an AP student, a member of the National Honor Society, and a natural athlete on the Hurricanes swim & dive and tennis teams.
The attendees spanned all ages. There were strollers and wheel chairs. Many of Merrick’s fellow Coral Shores students were in attendance, and there was strong support for the Dunn family who, according to Coral Shores High School’s Rich Russell, “has been part of the Keys community for four generations.”
Dunn was a cadet technical sergeant in the Homestead Air Reserve Base Civil Air Patrol Squadron — where he demonstrated leadership, commitment, and a passion for learning
and service. Members of the squadron, in uniform, stood solemnly in ranks during the service. Hammon introduced Maj. Joseph Finn, Civil Air Patrol chaplain, who delivered a homily. He described Dunn as a willing student and student pilot who was enthusiastic about classes in leadership and citizenship.
Laura Lietaert, Coral Shores High School principal, followed Finn. She delivered an original poem titled “A Phone Call from the Principal’s Office.” The theme of the poem is that Merrick isn’t in school, yet he is. The poem spanned many stanzas, ending:
We turned the corner in the hallway and stood there for a while
The bulletin board was full of pictures, all with Merrick’s smile.
They’ve created a beautiful video in remembrance of your son
There’s a new mural in the courtyard with a sunset, almost done.
I’m leaving you this message, no need to return my call
We’ve found Merrick in our school spirit, it lives in the Coral Shores halls.
As Hammon was closing the memorial, a Piper Cub aircraft flew over the park. Flower petals floated down from the airplane. Local instructor pilot and builder Brett Ekblom and copilot Jake Pinder did the flyby to honor Merrick Dunn. Ekblom said, “My heart is broken for this young boy.”
Islamorada Fire Chief Terry Abel estimated the gathering at well over 1,000 people and as many as 1,400. “Five hundred people are in chairs and there are at least that many standing under the trees or in the sand. There are cars parked on both sides for the full quarter-mile of First Street.”
Photos by DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly
