The mysterious Candlelight Vigilante, a rogue mourner known for appearing alone in parks and town squares, lighting a single candle, and commemorating loss on his own terms, made his first public statement Tuesday night, speaking to reporters from a pay phone. Sometimes, when the system fails to grieve properly, a man has to take mourning into his own hands, said the notorious one-man memorializer, a stoic gravitas entering his voice as he broke a long-held moment of silence. I commemorate where others dont. If theres a church, synagogue, or hospital parking lot in need of a public outpouring of respectful concern, Ill be there. Nobodynot a community organizer or local pastortells me when to pay solemn tribute. At press time, witnesses reported the Candlelight Vigilante had appeared suddenly along the shoulder of a highway, removed an elaborate floral display from a military duffel, and placed it along the roadside before quickly disappearing back into the shadows. 