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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Sunday marked the fourth annual National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims, started by the Parents of Murdered Children organization.

Several ceremonies were held across the country to pay tribute to the victims. For families in southern Colorado suffering with the unexpected loss of a loved one, a ceremony was held at the East Library in Colorado Springs.

"It is unbearable to bury your child," Jennifer Romero of Colorado Springs and founder of Mothers of Murdered Youth (MOMY) said. "You need people around you that feel the same way."

Romero founded MOMY, a local support group, in 2007, just a few months after her 13-year-old son Gino was murdered.

"In honor of him, I wanted to do something for other people so they wouldn't have to do this alone," Romero said. "I quickly learned the most important thing you need is support.

Romero said MOMY serves as a forum where other mothers, fathers, relatives and friends can meet to share similar stories and grieve together.

"Just because they were murdered doesn't mean we should stop talking about them," Romero said. "We have to talk about them. That is what brings us through."

Dozens of people attended the Sunday afternoon ceremony, including the mother and other relatives of 16-year-old Austin Howse, who was killed in a drive-by shooting along with two of his teenage friends in July.

"It was nice to let people know what I was feeling," Lisa Lipsie, Howse's cousin, said. "It was just nice to remember him and let everyone know how special he was."

During the ceremony, several families shared stories and pictures to remember the victims. Others from the community, including District Attorney Dan May and members of the Colorado Springs Police Department, also attended the tribute to show their support for the victims' families.

"It just reminds me of why I'm doing what I'm doing and why I got into law enforcement in the first place," Lt. Kirk Wilson with the Department of Violent Crimes said. "It's important to support MOMY and the families."

The ceremony closed with a balloon release. Each family member let go of one balloon, which to Romero symbolized love being lifted up to their loved ones.

"This is just a way for each person to leave with peace, knowing that you honored your child today," she said.

MOMY support meetings are held the third Saturday of every month at the Penrose Library in downtown Colorado Springs. For more information, click here.