Friends, family and hundreds of San Diegans turned out at San Diego's La Jolla Shores park Saturday morning to say their farewell to 7-year-old Danielle van Dam.

Danielle's Parents Share Memories Of Their Daughter "Seven years ago God sent us an angel. Although we will never know why He took her so soon -- our hearts may never mend -- we will always cherish the time we spent with her," Danielle's father, Damon van Dam, said. Danielle was discovered missing from her bed Feb. 2., sparking an unprecedented search effort for the girl. Many had no connection to the child, and knew her only from the "Missing" fliers put up all over town, and the heartbreaking home videos shown in news reports that captured a playful girl with a flare for fashion.

DANIELLE VAN DAM 1994-2002

Watch Danielle Video Montage

DONATIONS

The Danielle van Dam Family Trust
Mail donations to:
Community Bible Church
9919 Carroll Center Road
San Diego, 92126

DISCUSSION

Share your feelings, thoughts
Danielle Web site
Send mail to:
P.O. Box 501515
San Diego, 92150

Her naked and decomposing body was found about a month later in eastern San Diego County. By San Diego standards, Saturday was cold and rainy, but that did little to deter the crowd of people that turned out with pink and purple ribbons -- Danielle's favorite colors -- and pins with second-grader's picture. More people attended the service than had been expected, local television station KGTV reported. "Danielle was a caring, loving little girl who loved playing with her brothers and her friends," Damon van Dam said, breaking into tears. "Danielle, in her short time here, has touched so many lives. We feel blessed as a family to have her as our little angel." Brenda van Dam echoed her husband's sentiments and lamented all the life events that she would miss out on. "I looked forward to so many precious times in our life that we would share … her first date, her first prom, college, marriage and her becoming a mother herself. And in one night, all of these precious moments were taken away," Brenda van Dam said. "If I had only had one thing to say to any parent, it would be: 'Please do not take one moment of your child's life for granted.'" The service ended with Danielle's parents releasing doves, and members of the crowd releasing pink and purple balloons. The memorial comes after an emotional week for Danielle's parents, who were grilled by defense attorneys about their personal activities on the night their daughter disappeared. A neighbor, David Westerfield, 50, has been ordered to stand trial for Danielle's kidnapping and murder. He has pleaded not guilty. A trial date will be set March 28. Previous Stories:

• March 15, 2002: San Diegans To Remember Danielle
• March 14, 2002: Westerfield To Stand Trial In Van Dam Murder
• March 13, 2002: Westerfield Hearing Takes A Break
• March 12, 2002: Testimony: Police Find Porn On Westerfield's Computer
• March 12, 2002: Preliminary Hearing Offers Additional Details
• March 11, 2002: Witness: Danielle's Body Found Nude, Decomposing
• March 8, 2002: Gag Order Issued In Van Dam Murder Case
• March 6, 2002: Where To Put Danielle's Flowers Sparks Row
• March 5, 2002: Danielle's Parents Speak Out
• March 4, 2002: Westerfield Affidavits To Remain Sealed
• March 3, 2002: Experts Try To Determine Danielle's Cause Of Death
• March 1, 2002: Body Found Believed To Be Danielle's
• March 1, 2002: Autopsy Confirms Body Found Is Danielle's
• February 27, 2002: Search Warrants Show Police Sought Child Porn
• February 27, 2002: Danielle's Parents Respond To Neighbor's Arraignment
• February 26, 2002: Trial Set For Accused South Bay Boys' Killer
• February 26, 2002: Van Dam Neighbor To Be Arraigned
• February 26, 2002: Westerfield To Be Charged With Murder
• February 25, 2002: Danielle's Blood Found On Neighbor's Clothing
• February 21, 2002: Search For Danielle Extends To Mexico
• February 21, 2002: Marines Assist In Search For Danielle
• February 20, 2002: Governor Shows His Support For Van Dam Family
• February 20, 2002: Police Use Old Murder For Clues In Van Dam Case
• February 20, 2002: Crime Lab Personnel Return To Van Dam Home
• February 18, 2002: Search Continues For Danielle van Dam
• February 15, 2002: Police: Break In Missing Girl Case Expected
• February 14, 2002: Police Search Neighbor's House Again
• February 13, 2002: Marc Klaas Lends Support To Van Dam Family
• February 13, 2002: Reward For Danielle Reaches $185,000
• February 13, 2002: 'Better Trained' Dog Joins Danielle Search
• February 12, 2002: Rewards Grow In Search Of Missing Girl
• February 11, 2002: Missing Girl's Family Offers $25,000 Reward
• February 8, 2002: Police: Westerfield Had Child Porn
• February 8, 2002: Investigation Operations Base Leaves North County
• February 8, 2002: Search For Danielle Goes Nationwide
• February 7, 2002: Parents Plead For Help Finding Missing Daughter
• February 5, 2002: Police Question Neighbor In Missing Girl Case
• February 4, 2002: Parents Plead For Daughter's Safe Return