A community’s loss: Tree and plaque celebrate a life

By COLIN MURPHEY
Dozens of people attended a memorial dedication in Franklin Monday morning to honor and remember a young member of the community who a year ago was a victim of the scourge of mass shootings that has gripped the nation over recent years.
On July 23, 2015 a gunman walked into the Grand 16 movie theater in Lafayette, opened fire killing two people and injuring nine others before turning the gun on himself. One of the victims was 21-year-old Mayci Breaux of Franklin.
On Monday, a plaque was dedicated to her memory near the Grevemberg House in Franklin City Park, attended by family and friends still grieving from the loss of their friend and daughter. The plaque and oak tree, also planted in Breaux’s memory, was described by family member Jessie Breaux as a representation of his cousin’s strength and character.
“We decided we needed to do something to honor the memory of Mayci,” Breaux said. “It’s been a labor of love. The tree is a live oak and it fits her memory. A live oak is all about strength and power. It can withstand almost anything so her memory will be here forever.”
Franklin Mayor Raymond Harris Jr. also spoke at the dedication. Harris said the plaque and the oak tree will serve to remind community members for years to come about Breaux’s life and what she meant to her family and friends.
“A lot of times, when a young person leaves us we tend to forget,” Harris said. “I thought this was a great way of always keeping her memory before us and always having a way to remind future generations of who she was and what she was about. I want to commend everyone who worked on this.”
Mayci’s father, Kevin Breaux, also spoke briefly at the event.
“I just want to thank everyone for participating in this,” Breaux said. “All of our friends and family and our family in Franklin. A lot of people put in a lot of time to remember Mayci and we really appreciate it.”