The pictures of the missing were joined by the families who are left behind, waiting for their loved ones to return.

"There are days when not talking is much easier. When each of us is in some other place, and we wonder how we are going to go on," said John Bish.

Maggie and John Bish's daughter disappeared more than six years ago near their home in Massachusetts. Her body was

found three years later. The Bish's joined hundreds of affected families Sunday at the New York State museum for a ceremony to remember all missing persons.

"Many of these families are still missing their children. We haven't found them. So, we come to support and love," said Maggie Bish.

April 6th is designated as Missing Persons Day in New York. That date marks Suzanne Lyall's birthday. The UAlbany student disappeared in March of 1998, and her parents, Doug and Mary Lyall, established The Center for HOPE in her honor. They've become a voice for families of missing people across the country.

"Sometimes it only takes a couple people who have their heart in the right place and who are ready to work hard towards something to get things done, and Doug and Mary Lyall have demonstrated that," said Assembly Minority Leader Jim Tedisco.

This is the sixth year the Lyalls and families across the country have united to honor their missing loved ones, but this is the first year they've gathered around a common monument--the Missing Persons Monument in downtown Albany.

"When I come up the steps to see it, i'm so overwhelmed by it," said Mary Lyall.

The monument was unveiled in October and stands as a beacon of light to guide home the missing. Families placed a candle on its base Sunday for each missing person in their lives.

"These people are suffering, everyone of them, as we are. There are so many families that hide because they have nowhere to turn," said Lyall.

The Lyalls say they'll continue to push legislation to aid missing persons and their families.