REMEMBERING THE FALLEN CEREMONY - A SUCCESS STORY

Hello fellow gatherers,

I had written an article earlier about an upcoming event in Lancaster, PA called Remembering the Fallen, where each name of the fallen would be read at town square on Saturday, October 27th.

The event was a very big success despite the things that threatened us -- first of all the downpouring of rain here in Lancaster that occurred all night before and during the morning.  Our event began at 1:00 p.m. and by 12:30 the rain stopped, the skies cleared and by mid afternoon the sun was actually shining down on all of us. 

The speaker system had it's own set of problems which could not and would not deter us either.  First one of them blew over in the wind, falling to the ground and no longer working.  That's ok we thought - we still have one left!  About 3/4 of the way through the ceremony about 900 more names to be read, the other speaker went out on us.  So what we thought - we will YELL these names. 

I happened to be sitting down speaking to someone when all of a sudden I heard this booming male voice - commanding people's attention without the aid of any speakers.  His voice could be heard loud and clear over the traffic.  I snapped my head back to attention at him as he read each name on his list of 70 with a commanding presence.  Who was this guy I thought - where did he come from just when we needed him.  When he was finished I had to seek him out and talk with him.  Turned out he is in the Navy - was in Iraq - and came to our event a bit later than when it had started.  No wonder his announcing those names sounded like roll call from a military person.

I told him then and there that small gifts happen when we least expect them and possibly need them the most.  Someone had sent us all a gift of clearing the skies for us and someone definitely sent him to us.  I told him that I had just been reflecting on the day, the loss of the speaker system, and feeling a bit down about it all and then and there he appears.  I told him he was my gift of the day and I will never, ever forget his presence there.

The event began at 1:00 p.m. and the last name was read at 5:07 p.m.  To all of you reading this article, who may be directly affected by this war and the loss of a child or relative, please know that person's name was read out loud and proud here in Lancaster, PA on the 27th of October.

No matter how anyone feels about the war in general, to know that so many in my own community came together to remember these brave young men and women in such an honorable fashion, made my heart sing.

Written in loving memory to so many

Pam