Prayers, Songs, Hugs at Dedication of Terry Smith Jr. Memorial

Volunteer coordinator Sarah Reid welcomes residents as they file by to view the mosaic honoring Terry Smith Jr.

In what probably will be the final public tribute to a boy who captured the hearts of residents throughout the Menifee Valley, a memorial mosaic featuring 398 hand-painted tiles honoring the memory of Terry Smith Jr. was dedicated tonight at Menifee Market.

Volunteers who took part in the search for the 11-year-old boy, as well as those who helped prepare and create the community mosaic, spoke and were thanked in front of the small market behind where Terry's body was found almost a month ago. Following the various tributes, songs and prayers, the 9x6-foot mosaic was unveiled on the front wall of the store.

Dozens filed by, taking photos and looking for the tiles they created to help honor Terry's memory and the community spirit the search for him created. In the center of the mosaic is a plaque that reads:

Remembering Terry Smith
Honoring how this young boy brought a community together

"With your presence here tonight, you honor him," said Midge James, principal of Herk Bouris Elementary school, where Terry attended as a fifth grader this past school year. "Everybody loved Terry. He was clever, loving, athletic ... just a wonderful specimen of a young man."

The event was also in a sense therapeutic for Menifee residents, including members of the "Remembering Terry Smith" volunteer group, headed by Sarah Reid.

"I believe Terry brought this community together, and I'm very proud to be a part of it," said Menifee City Council member Tom Fuhrman, who lives on a ranch not far from the market volunteer command post, where he and others worked so hard just a few weeks ago.

The memorial, mounted permanently at the Menifee Market, is located at 26035 Scott Road in Menifee.