Their smiles touched many lives within the Ohio State community.

“They touched many, whether a friend, a family member or just someone who came across them and they flashed their beautiful smiles,” said Senay Araia, friend and housemate to Kyle Raulin and Alan Schlessman.

Araia tried to keep back his tears while praising his former friends. He told the parents of those two men that they can take pride in raising great kids.

He called them guardian angels and told the crowd to make sure their names carry on and not the way they died.

An estimated crowd of 700 filled Mershon Auditorium to celebrate the spirits of the five lives lost in the 17th Avenue fire.

In honor of Erin DeMarco, Andrea Dennis, Kyle Raulin, Alan Schlessman, and Christine Wilson, many friends, family, and Ohio State students gathered together to extend their sympathies and memories.

Among them, bandaged and sitting in a wheelchair in the front row, was Josh Patterson. Patterson was one of three who was saved and was in intensive care at Ohio State University Hospitals until Sunday.

John Schlessman, father of Alan Schlessman, said he and his family was able to stand up before the crowd because of the support they had received.

“There are no words to describe the unbelievable appreciation. There are no words powerful enough to express the sadness we have felt,” he said.

After thanking the community and firefighters, Schlessman talked about the life of his son.

He told the audience that if you are from Ohio State you should know the alma mater, “Carmen Ohio,” and if not Jim Tressel will come after you.

‘How firm thy friendship – Ohio’ is the last line,” Schlessman said of “Carmen Ohio.” “And Alan and Kyle had that friendship.”

As an OSU alumnus, Schlessman said his family is rich in OSU tradition and Alan continued this tradition by becoming a Buckeye.

“Alan loved this place. I had to cell phone him because he never wanted to come home.”

Amy Schlessman, sister of Alan, said he had unconditional love for people and would go out of his way to play with her.

“I don’t know how many older brothers would take time out of their day to play with a sister nine years younger than them,” she said.

Kyle Raulin’s father, Terry, spoke about Kyle’s love for OSU. He said Kyle love everything about OSU, including “that old house” he lived in. Raulin also said Kyle and Alan had a great friendship.

“They were great kids. Their similarities were uncanny,” he said. “They had the same constant smile, the same twinkle in the eyes, and the same love for life. No wonder they became special friends, and they traveled 100 miles to OSU to find a brother.”

Matt Brown, a roommate to Alan and Kyle, said the house was like a 13 person family.

“There was always someone to talk to. We were all so close,” said Brown. “It is was easy to see these two were leaders with humble attitudes.”

Mayor Michael B. Coleman expressed his sorrow and grief for those who parished in the fire. He said all five have fallen but have not been forgotten.

“Young lives full of hope, full of promise, full of dreams with nothing but the future and in one murderous act their lives were snatched from all of us,” he said.

Coleman said all five are part of the Columbus family even though most of the community did not know them.

“The dreams of Alan live on in each of us. Kyle left his aspirations for others to reach,” Coleman said. “Christine’s hopes are our hopes. Andrea’s future was left for others to fulfill. Erin’s desires will be felt by those she left behind. They are our family, a Columbus family.”

Coleman then asked the firefighters who risked their lives to save others to stand up and be recognized for their actions.

Tears fell and tissues were passed when Rosalind Crew, an OSU student, made a musical tribute by singing “Amazing Grace.”

After the musical reflection Rev. Donald Wallick of the University Interfaith Association represented the many religions that make up Interfaith, offering his condolences.

“The emotions are too raw, the grief is hard to bear, and the tears are running fresh,” Wallick said. “But I think there is a deep strength in the community. We share the tears and we rejoice in the hope we find in each other.”

“We come together to celebrate life,” OSU President Karen A. Holbrook said. “We come together because this university is an extended family.”

Holbrook said the goal of the service was to remember all five lives and give support to their families.

“Some of us did not know them personally,” she said of the five victims. “But we are part of a large community grieving their loss.”

According to Holbrook, presidents of universities from various parts of the country have sent letters of sympathy and support to OSU. She also said the Columbus community has demonstrated compassion with offers of support and comfort.

“We come together to grieve, to offer compassion, and lend support, and look back on the lives,” Holbrook said. “We are comforted that there were lives that were saved.”

An Ohio University reflection was made by Terrence J. Hogan, dean of students at OU. He said that although OSU and OU are separated by distance and school colors, they share in honoring and celebrating those lives that were lost.

The crowd stood and sang “Carmen Ohio,” led by OSU student Dito Melvin. Five chimes from Orton Hall were heard across The Oval as the service ended and the students’ lives were remembered.