Beth Holloway Speaks to Students in Alabama … Teens Please Be Cautious, Be Aware … The Legacy of Natalee Holloway

Beth Holloway’s love for her daughter and the Legacy of Natalee Holloway …

With all of the stories recently in the news regarding the latest murderous exploits of Joran Van der Sloot, the little Dutch boy who was accused and was the prime suspect in the death and disappearance of Natalee Holloway in Aruba in 2005 … there is no better time than Beth Holloway to continue her campaign to urge teenagers to be cautious.

Sadly, the Natalee Holloway story and now the Stephany Flores one shoudl be a reminder to all teens, tweens and 20 something year olds to use their heads and be very cautious of those around you. Beth Holloway spoke yesterday at the Lions Club of Alabama High School Leadership Forum in Troy, AL.  Beth Holloway stated that the best way that she can honor her daughter and  the legacy of Natalee Holloway is to warn individuals of the real dangers that exists … “It’s too late for Natalee, it’s too late for me, but it’s not too late for you,” she said. “The best thing I can do to honor her is bring up safety issues to people like you.”

“My daughter, Natalee, would be 23, and she had big plans out of high school like you all,” Holloway said. “What happened to my family could happen to anyone in this room. Any of you could be my child, and your parents could be me.”

Natalee, a graduate from Mountain Brook High School near Birmingham, disappeared on May 30, 2005, on the last day of her high school graduation trip to Aruba.

Holloway vividly remembers the days leading up to the trip and the final hours she spent with her daughter, including the discussions the two had regarding safety.

“She was of legal age to be in the night clubs there, (so) I reminded her to be careful,” Holloway recalled. “Before Natalee left, we discussed certain issues that I was thinking about. I reminded her to watch out and that most people were there to have a good time and relax, but some were not. On the way to the airport, we went through the checklist. We as parents want to make sure our children have what they need. I watched her silhouette disappear into the doorway, and then it was completely dark.”

Just a few days later, when Natalee was supposed to return home from the trip, Holloway received a phone call that would haunt her the rest of her life.

We all know and saw what would happen in Aruba and the lack of real commitment and corruption by the Aruban authorities to find answers and justice for Natalee. Actually, the investigation was corrupt as Hell! The nepotism and cronyism displayed in Aruba allowed the three prime suspects last seen with Natalee Holloway to never be charged in the crime. Flash forward five years later and we are presented with Joran van der Sloot murdering yet another girl, this time in Peru.

Beth Holloway provides a word of warning to individuals of any age, take responsibility, do not have a false sense of security, no mater where you are … BE AWARE!

… Holloway said they need to be aware in all social settings of the dangers that are present.

“It’s now your responsibility to look out for yourself,” she said. “Whether traveling to the mall or out of the country, you’re the only one that can protect yourself from dangerous situations.”