In Memory of Forrest Vereen
Forrest Vereen
May 30th, 1987 – September 8th, 2009
We lost one of the earliest members of the Widespread Panic Family this past Labor Day evening. Forrest Vereen passed away at Grady Memorial Hospital after sustaining major injuries on his way home. No other vehicles or people were involved in the accident. All blessings, no blame.
Forrest is the Son of Garrie Vereen, equipment manager extraordinaire for Widespread Panic and great Friend to all. He was a fantastic kid with a great sense of humor, kind and thoughtful toward friends and strangers alike – maintaining those qualitites at every stage of the way to becoming a man. Young Mr. Vereen became highly skilled in his job of arbor management, working many tens of feet in the air to keep our roadsides safe, as well as maintaining the beauty of both public and private lands. Gentle yet fearless – Forrest was truly an Angel on Earth.
Upon reflection, Forrest and his slightly older Brother, Colin, were the first little people I was exposed to around the time Widespread Panic came into being. So basically, I guess we’re right around the same age. I have no doubt that many of the songs the Band plays which ponder the subject of Babies and Children were inspired by the presence of these two brothers in our lives.
The last few days have been saturated with sadness and Love. The support delivered by Family and Friends has been fully-whelming. Appropriately, Love will outshine the sadness as time passes. Good memories deserve to sit in the front row of our attention. Life will never be the same with the passing of Forrest, but our Hearts wouldn’t be as full without the Blessing of the Life he shared with us.
To his Mom, Dad, and Family extending in all directions – We thank you for the Gift of Forrest Larue Vereen.
‘SPREAD THE WORD!