With more than 1,000 people lost to the coronavirus pandemic, Westchester County has created a way to remember those who have passed.

County officials are setting up a memorial to those lost at the Lenoir Preserve in Yonkers.
The new memorial is called Ribbons of Remembrance, and it's dedicated to Westchester County residents who have lost their lives to COVID-19.

It's on a spot that overlooks the Hudson River and the Palisades. The memorial will be set up just a short walk away from the Lenoir Preserve parking lot in front of what's called the Wightman Mansion.

Ribbons and permanent markers will be available at the memorial, and visitors are encouraged to write the name of someone they have lost on the ribbon and then tie it to one of two trees or a rope structure that's set up.

And, just a sign of these awful times, visitors are then asked to drop the used permanent markers in a designated bin to be properly disinfected by parks staff.

There has been heartbreaking stories of how people have not been able to give their loved ones the proper goodbye, so officials say they're hoping this memorial will help ease some of that pain. "This is a very difficult time because we're not able to give them the proper sentimental goodbye that they deserve because of issues with COVID-19, so we want to try and make an effort to remember them," says county Executive George Latimer.

An unveiling of the Ribbons of Remembrance Memorial is scheduled for later today. It's a media only event, but information is expected about when people will be able to start coming to visit and place their ribbons.