Caylee's Memorial Video and other Coverage

UNEDITED MEMORIAL: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4
MEMORIAL CLIPS: Anthonys Speak | Caylee Video | Dove Release
IMAGES: Inside Memorial Service | Mourners Arrive
MEMORIAL PROGRAM: Read Program For Caylee Memorial
TEAM COVERAGE: Emotional Memorial For Caylee

http://www.wftv.com/news/18679461/detail.html#-

Anthony Family Speaks At Emotional Caylee Memorial

Tuesday, February 10, 2009 – updated: 12:45 pm EST February 10, 2009

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- Hundreds of mourners remembered slain Florida toddler Caylee Anthony in a music-filled service Tuesday, months after her mysterious disappearance inspired dozens of volunteers to search for her body before and after her mother was charged with killing her.

"There are days you don't know what to say and these are one of these days," said Pastor David Uth, who offered a "prayer of peace" for Casey Anthony, who was in the Orange County Jail less than a mile away, facing a first-degree murder charge. She has pleaded not guilty and claims a baby sitter kidnapped Caylee.

Images of the girl, who was 2 when she disappeared, flashed on a giant screen in front of the First Baptist Church of Orlando sanctuary as a pianist played, "You Are My Sunshine" and "If You're Happy and You Know It." A video montage of her jumping on a bed and dressed like an Easter bunny ended the service.

Casey Anthony could have asked for permission to watch the memorial broadcast live on TV but didn't, according to jail officials. The 22-year-old said in a statement read by her attorney that she missed Caylee "every day and every minute of every day" (read full statement | watch Baez read).

Casey Anthony's parents, George and Cindy, who arranged the public service, urged mourners to support their daughter.

"It breaks my heart today that Casey isn't here today to honor her child who she loved so much," Cindy Anthony said during the eulogy. "Casey, I hope you're listening to this. I wish I could comfort you. I wish I could take away your pain and wipe away your tears."

Thousands of mourners had been expected, but only several hundred people showed up, including many who never knew Caylee or her family. They included Jessica Smith, who drove 160 miles from West Palm Beach with a co-worker to attend, saying she felt compelled to be there "to say our prayers for her."

"I'm a mother myself," said Smith, 25, who has a son Caylee's age. "It touches close to home." Caylee disappeared in June, but her mother didn't report her missing until a month later, telling authorities she was looking for her.

Caylee's remains were found in December in woods near her home, about two months after prosecutors brought charges against her mother.

Casey Anthony also said in her statement that she wished the service would have been private and not open to the public and media.

"I still don't want a public event with cameras and everybody around for Caylee's service, but I can't stop my parents from doing what they want," she said. "I truly hope that it will help them."

George Anthony said his daughter deserved love and letters of support while she was in jail. "I miss my daughter, Casey," George Anthony said. "Do not form judgments because I tell you, you do not want to be in any of our shoes."

Security was tight, given that the Anthony family had faced protesters at their house before the daughter was arrested. A dozen deputies were stationed at the church and mourners had to pass through a metal detector to get into the sanctuary. No protesters showed up.

Some mourners said they felt a connection to Caylee since they had been following the case since she was reported missing. "I had hoped she would have been found alive," said Justine Lorence, 22, who drove up with Smith from West Palm Beach. "I feel like I have to pay my respects to her because I've been watching this from the start."

As of Tuesday morning, the Orange County jail said Casey had not requested permission to watch Caylee's funeral on TV, but she can do so at any time. She would have to watch in the presence of a corrections officer. Eyewitness News has also learned she has a small radio that she may be able to use to listen to the memorial service.

Also Tuesday morning, around 9:30am, Casey's attorney, Jose Baez arrived at the jail to meet with her and was allowed to take his laptop into the meeting with her. Therefore, she may be able to watch the memorial service online, as well.

http://www.wftv.com/news/18679461/detail.html#-

Photos: Caylee Anthony memorial


http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/caylee-anthony/orl-caylee-anthony-funeral-photos,0,1126087.photogallery

Caylee Anthony's memorial service: What I saw

Sarah Lundy |Sentinel Staff Writer2:35 PM EST, February 10, 2009

Finally, Caylee Marie had her day.

I didn't see protesters spewing hate about her mother. No news conference dominated the event. No bounty hunters stealing the spotlight. And those I spoke to talked about how beautiful the service was instead of sharing their theories on what happened to the 2-year-old whose remains were found in December.

The toddler's memorial service was no side show -- thank goodness.

The event appeared somber the moment I arrived at First Baptist Church of Orlando about 8:15 a.m. Dozens were lined up outside the door, some dressed in fancy black dresses and suits and others wearing jeans and flip-flops.

The metal detectors didn't slow down the lines once the doors opened at 9 a.m. I eased into a row next to a woman who brought two tissue packs in a small plastic bag.

As I waited, pictures of Caylee in happier times flashed on a large screen. Caylee wearing a Princess Leia costume. Caylee playing with a Winnie the Pooh brush. Caylee snoozing on her grandmother's bed.

All I could think about was how could someone hurt such a cute little girl?

The woman with the tissues began to cry -- and didn't stop until it was over two hours later.

I wondered if she was crying for Caylee -- a girl she probably got to know through television and newspaper stories -- or for some other reason. I bet most of the people there had never met Caylee and didn't know the Anthonys personally.

One woman I spoke to afterward said she had watched the story unfold on TV and came from Ormond Beach to pay her respects.

In any other time, that would strike me as creepy, but not anymore -- not in the story of Caylee Marie. I was just relieved those who wore T-shirts that read "My Mommy Did It" at the Anthony house last fall weren't there, or at least if they were, they left their T-shirts at home.

The audience heard from Caylee's family. Her Uncle Lee asked everyone to hold judgment and to fill their hearts with patience and grace. He spoke about "CMA," saying how much he missed her and will never forget the promise he made to her. At first, I thought he meant Caylee but then remembered that Casey Anthony shares the same initials.

George Anthony smiled as he talked about his granddaughter who loved green beans and ate popcorn out of a SpongeBob SquarePants bowl. One of her favorite DVDs was "101 Dalmatians," and she loved to play dress up. And he talked about his family coming to terms with their "new normal" life.

Cindy Anthony took the microphone last. She also talked about what Caylee liked -- "Bambi 1 & 2," swimming in the pool, Spider-Man, music and serving Elmo at her tea parties. Cindy Anthony spoke to her daughter, hoping she was somehow listening in jail. She wanted to comfort Casey and thank her for giving her the greatest gift: Caylee.

A singer belted the song "To Where You Are" as the family was escorted out a side door. The audience began to leave. I walked to the front of the sanctuary to get a better look at the flowers and pictures of Caylee. The dominant image is the same one used at a news conference the day authorities confirmed that the remains were the little girl's.

A crowd moved closer to the arrangements, but church officials told us to stay back. We did what they asked. No scene was made.

Thank goodness.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/caylee-anthony/orl-bk-caylee-anthony-memorial-what-i-saw-021009,0,4702049.story

Jon Whynock performs "Caylee's Song" at her memorial service: