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Saturday, 08 August 2009 15:14

Day for Dylan will be reality

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Now that it’s official, Anthony Finney is anxious. His actions snowballed and turned into an avalanche of support — 964 people on the social networking Web site Facebook who believe Dylan Moore’s memory should be honored with a special day.

The support began when Finney posted the page soon after the child died from a rare blood disease on July 26.

On Tuesday night at its 7 p.m. meeting at the Lloyd Andrews City Meeting Hall on Jackson Street, city council will vote on a resolution declaring Sept. 18 Dylan Moore Day.

“I am anxious for Tuesday night to get here,” Finney said in e-mail correspondence with The Spin Friday. “I cannot wait to see how many people will come out and support this and watch this take place. I wouldn't miss it for anything.”

More important, Finney said, “I am just glad that the Mayor and City Council and citizens of Roanoke Rapids agree that Dylan was a special young man that deserves this honor. And I hope someone will help me in planning the first Dylan Moore Day on September 18, Dylan's birthday. I am not sure what I would like to do at this point, but I was thinking of maybe just a candlelight gathering at his gravesite or the family home. A way to say thank you without having to say anything at all. Because that's how Dylan helped me, by saying nothing at all. He was just Dylan.”

Finney has discussed the movement with Dylan’s family. “I went to visit with the Moore Family as soon as I heard that Mayor Beale would be signing the proclamation at the next council meeting. It was the first time I had met them, and we had a wonderful time talking. They shared stories about Dylan with me, and I shared with them how Dylan had inspired me to pick my head up and live again.”

Finney, a strapping 6 feet, 2 inches tall man weighing 275, a graying goatee and two large pierces in each ear along with a small one in his eyebrow, wasn’t sure how the family would react to him visiting.

His fears were allayed. “They are an amazing family to be around. The presence of strength in them is astounding. Betsy spoke softly, and fondly of her late son. Though I could hear the hurt at times, she never shed a tear,” Finney said. “I knew they were at peace with their son’s passing. I choked up as I talked about the young man whose pictures really said a thousand words to me time and time again. It was amazing and entertaining, especially to hear about Dylan and his $5 million check from the doctor in Norfolk.

“As I said my good-byes, I stood to leave the home, and was met with the open arms of Betsy Moore. The hour or so we had shared talking had made me feel warm even after the chilling rain, but now I felt like family. Honestly, I cried as I left, and drove past Dylan’s gravesite. He had a strong family. And for an hour I got to share some time with that family.”

Mayor D.N. Beale said the city was glad to do this. “When I attended the service I never met Dylan Moore. Once I walked out of the service I thought I knew him. It really was amazing how he touched so many hearts. You could almost picture him with hat and guitar standing on stage. He was definitely a showman.”

Read 2278 times Last modified on Thursday, 29 July 2010 16:40