Tommy Sablan's tribute to Amber today:
Just like many of you in this church. I never had the honor of meeting Amber Dubois. But, just like all of you, AMBER lives in my heart. She truly does. Her spirit is right here in this room. Her spirit is doing wonderful things and leading her mom and all of us in to doing good things in her honor and in her memory.
I can’t say Amber’s name without quickly mentioning Chelsea. When I think of Amber I think of Chelsea and when I think of Chelsea I think of Amber. Together they will both forever be a part of me.
I had a very special moment the night before Amber’s public memorial service. Most of us in this room were working hard and setting up the football field with chairs and the stage and everything. We were done and it was late at night and I stayed to watch over everything. It was just me all alone literally on the 50 yard line. It was quiet, the lights were on and there was a spotlight on a big picture of Amber on stage and on the opposite side of the field was a flag pole but for some reason that flag pole looked like a cross and I felt God there and I felt Amber there. I felt Amber for the first time just checking me out making sure I was okay. AND it was a beautiful moment and a beautiful feeling that I truly shared with Amber that night.
I’ve lost a lot of people in my life over the years ever since I was a little boy. I believe the spirit stays and protects you. I see my dad and my brothers all the time, but I have learned to see them through my heart.
We all see Amber and Chelsea and Danielle and Pauly everyday through our hearts.
Today is a day we smile.
We should not be sad.
Carrie and Dave and Moe and Rebecca along with Allison will always remember February 13th…….But, we remember her life and what she means to all of us and now LOOK at all the good that is happening.
I remember at Chelsea’s service with her dad Brent said take that anger and turn it in to hope and with that hope GIVE.
Today, Carrie GIVES as she introduces TEAM AMBER….That’s why we are here. This is why we should be smiling, because Amber’s spirit lead her mom and Brad Dennis to correcting all those policies and procedures that Carrie faced two years ago and now she has a SEARCH AND RESCUE team that will help families regardless if they are classified as a runaway early on.
I am proud to be here but now it’s time to celebrate.