In the city atrium, the mothers and fathers, daughters and sons, husbands and wives looked at the pictures and found their seats.

For 15 years, Margaret Rowan has tried to find out what happened to her son.

For eight months, Lisa Denson has tried to find out what happened to her brother.

Countless family members try to find out every day the fate of their missing loved ones.

Jacksonville hosted Florida Missing Adults Day on Friday, and families and their supporters joined with law enforcement as they asked the media and the public to please, please not give up the search for answers.

Rowan wants to find her son's body. She wants to put John Rowan Jr. to rest, and she wants to know what happened to him after he left for work on February morning 15 years ago. Why was his 1999 Ford Expedition backed into a space at an office park near the Orlando airport?

She waited as the police missing person unit investigated. She waited as the search transferred to the homicide unit. She waited as the search became a cold case.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office kept tracking suspects and hunting down evidence, and she kept calling and begging for updates. She called the newspaper and TV stations, asking for stories to remind the public that her son, 34 when he was last seen in 2001, still hasn't been found.

She was restless, so she started the John Rowan Jr. Foundation, and now she wants to raise money to bring a stone Celtic cross to Jacksonville with an inscription honoring John and all the other missing sons and daughters.

"I can think of no more difficult event in a person's life," said the man leading a prayer Friday, "yet I see these people coming here every year."

"Your loved ones haven't been forgotten," said a prosecutor, "and they will not be forgotten."

A young girl read her poem. Sheriff Mike Williams pointed out 2,900 people were reported missing last year in this city. All but five adults were found, he said.

City Council president Greg Anderson put it in stark terms. Two boys, missing 10 years ago, would be 23 and 24 now. Where were Mark Degner and Bryan Hayes?

He walked around with Rowan, handing out yellow roses to family members in front of pictures of the missing.

Lisa Denson took a deep breath as she clutched the stem.

Then the council president moved to the next picture.

"We need more public awareness and participation," Rowan told the crowd. "Have you ever had a child and you can't find him? That's what it's like when you have a missing loved one. It's like living in a nightmare you can't wake up from.

"Every day I will not give up."

She introduced her husband, John Sr., who took a deep breath and then began a sad song from the sad "Les Misérables."

"God on high," he bellowed, and his amplified voice shook the room. "Hear my prayer."

Everyone stood still.

"He is young. He's afraid. Let him rest. Heaven blessed. Bring him home. Bring him home. Bring him home."

Denson looked at the picture of her brother, Mike Frazier, and she wiped her eyes.

Andrew Pantazi: (904) 359-4310