Four young Eastern Kentuckians whose lives were cut short last December are remembered today in Bell County. Family and friends of the four JROTC cadets gathered to honor their loved ones.

Eight months ago, on a cold day in December, Daniel Campbell, Jonathan Miracle, and Jessica and Wesley Ingram were on their way to the Middlesboro Christmas parade.

It was the last trip they would ever take together.

"We loved these kids so much, that their lives meant so much to us, that we kind of keep them in the forefront. And so to start the year off, we're remembering and celebrating what they did and what they meant to us," says Sr. Master Sgt. Lance Hunt, a Bell County JROTC Instructor.

Family and friends of the four say remembering those who were lost helps loved ones cope, but will never bring a son or daughter back. Becky Ingram, the mother of Wesley and Jessica, says, "It's rough because we're used to them home. Now, they're gone, and all we do have is their memories. And just going around places, we see them, and we wish they were home."

In honor of the four friends, JROTC instructors presented their families with American flags. Also, current Bell County cadets donated $8,000 they raised originally for a group trip to the families to help with funeral expenses.

Cadet J.C. Carroll, a sophomore at Bell County High School, says, "As a core, we're all part of a family, and if something bad happens, we stick together. We do what we can to pull through, and it just seemed like the right thing to do at the time."

Although the flags are just a symbol, they help the memories of Daniel, Jessica, Wesley and Jonathan live on. Becky Ingram says her children are still with her family every day in her heart and in her mind. "Things we all did, we see them. But we manage, you know, to get by, day by day, because that's all we can do anymore," she says.

Everyone who knew the four says they were role models, leaders and all around good people. A fifth flag was presented to the Bell County JROTC program to display in the high school.