ONE YEAR SINCE VALERIE SIFSOF'S DISAPPEARANCE: SHE IS REMEMBERED

Painting of Valerie Sifsof and Eagle by Cousin Sharon

One year ago, a warm-hearted, talented and much loved woman, daughter, neice, sister, counsin and friend to many went missing at the Granite Creek Campground, North of Girdwood, Alaska. Her family continues the search, and to honor those who have assisted. 

"Though this is a difficult day remembering Valerie Sifsof, it is a time to remember all those who helped her family through the past year with their prayers, their many contributions during the search. Those who knew her, her family and those who helped in so many ways during the search, those who didn't know her particularly the military, the law enforcement people. There are just too many that gave so unselfishly of ther time and resources. Those who flew, rafted, provided assistance in any way are to be remembered and thanked, the dogs and their handlers, and those passers-by who stopped with food and remembered all in prayer. We pray and hope that others who have missing family or friends will find peace in their searches. May you all be blessed." ~ Aunt Dorothy

WE  SHALL WAIT TOGETHER 

Let us move evenly together.

Let us stand as one.

Let evil be cast from us.

Let no man cry for himself

Or listen to those without faces.

Let us move evenly together.

Let us walk as tall trees.

Let fear be crushed within us.

Let no man speak for himself

Or give secrets to those without blood.

We shall live together;

We shall walk with you;

We shall find in each new day what hides inside of you,

We shall wait together;

We shall see the day when we go hand in hand.

To the fire in the mountain,

To the water in the sand.

- Anonymous 

Please feel free to post comments below for her family, and continue to send prays to them, and to Val's Spirit. 

The search and investigation continues...

Search Update: May 24 - 27th, 2013

Fri, Sat, Mon: hot bright sun, 65-70°, no perceptible wind. 

Sun: overcast, cool, intermittent light rain.

Searchers: Valerie's family and US military volunteers.

Friday: Sgt. James Watts, Sgt. Robert Parks and Remmey Ogoy brought out jeeps with winch and in wetsuits cleared the log jam behind day use Site 11. 

(Last fall these generous men came out to help with others from their team: the 1st/501st, Sgt. Robert Parks, Sgt. James Watts, Ben Ballard, Andrew McFarland, Reno Magsayo, Andrew Vroom, Jacob Barlow, Jason Amiott, Derek Brown, Zac Lialek, Andrew Marrero, Paul Benjamin Grantham, Remmey Ogoy.) 

Saturday and Sunday: Cleared the bank upstream as much as able. Camera in the water and covered the south bank and bend, upstream to the next site with the log bench.

The three Sifsof brothers made multiple floats down to the bridge. Ground teams walked downstream, covering the lower log jam around the bend, creek bed and campground downstream, and the confluence of Granite Creek and East Fork 6 Mile. 

Monday: Walked the length of the bend, upstream proximal and adjacent to the bank,

 including in between trees. Underbrush and grass is down with no new growth; the ground is visible. 

Timing was perfect for working with the elements. Monday, the creek had risen more than a foot overnight. The area under the trees next to the log jam is covered with water. Glaciated snow fields over gravel shoreline directly across and downstream are now under water. 

No new finds, nothing of significance. But we are grateful for all the continued assistance, and can move on to search other areas. The search is continuing!

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Volunteer Sgt. James Watts

Renewed Search for Valerie Sifsof

Published on Alaska Dispatch (http://www.alaskadispatch.com)

Home > Search for Valerie Sifsof south of Anchorage ramps up again

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Alaska Dispatch

June 6, 2013

It’s been nearly a year since Valerie Sifsof disappeared, and now that the winter snows have largely vanished, her family has resuming its search – asking visitors to the Granite Creek Campground south of Alaska’s largest city to be on the lookout for clues.  Granite Creek is at Mile 64 of the Seward Highway.
Sifsof, 43, was reported missing [1] July 11 by her boyfriend. She reportedly walked away from their campsite at Granite Creek campground on July 7, leaving her keys, ID and cell phone behind. When she failed to contact family, her boyfriend reported her missing. Sisof is 5 feet, 5 inches tall and weighs 120 pounds. She has black hair brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a black sweatshirt-style jacket, blue sweatpants and black boots.
According to a press release from Susan Sullivan of Victims for Justice, canine teams and volunteers in rafts on the creek have been searching before vegetation leafed out this spring – “ideal conditions,” according to Victor Sifsof, who is Valerie’s father.
Last year, searchers combed the road system from Homer to Fairbanks, including the Hope area.  A sweatshirt belonging to Valerie was found in October, and the family launched a website, www.valeriesifsof.com [2], to post details about the search.
There’s still a reward of more than $27,000 if Sifsof is recovered or someone responsible for her disappearance is arrested and convicted. The fund is administered by Victims for Justice. People with information should call Alaska State Troopers, who still consider Sifsof’s disappearance as an active case, at (907) 783-0972. The reference incident number is AK12219013.
An additional reward of $1,000 through Crime Stoppers is available for tips that lead to the arrest of a felony suspect.  Call 561-STOP.

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Source URL: http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/20130606/search-valerie-sifsof-south-anchorage-ramps-again

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