FOLK PARK FITTING VENUE FOR POIGNANT SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE
Folk Park fitting venue for poignant service of remembrance
by Mary Lafferty
THE Ulster American Folk Park, renowned for its close affinity with America, was the fitting venue for a particularly poignant service of remembrance on Thursday last.
Alongside the star-spangled banner, hundreds of people came to pay their respects to the dead, their families and all affected by the terrorist bombs in New York and Washington. Prayers were also said for world peace.
Organised by Omagh Churches Forum this interdenominational church service remembered the victims and their families in a combination of song, poetry and prayer.
For many in the crowd the service brought many painful memories to the fore as they recalled that dreadful day in August 1998, when Omagh town experienced a similar disaster at the hands of terrorists.
As they joined in prayer for those in America they were sure to be remembering that day when 29 people and unborn twins were lost and hundreds more were injured or maimed for life.
The remembrance service was conducted in the open air and took place in front of the Pennsylvanian farmhouse led by churches, staff at the park, local musicians, schoolchildren and members of the local community.
Prior to the service local musicians the Knotty Pine String band sang the emotive lyrics of the song the 'Will the Circle be Unbroken' to the sombre crowd that had come to pay their respects.
Strong links
Opening the service Mr John Gilmour, director of the Ulster American Folk Park, spoke of the strong links Tyrone had with America and how the service recognised the worldwide dimensions of the tragedy, which had personally affected some Tyrone families.
He continued: "It is very appropriate that the service today is held at the Folk Park as we symbolise the links between Ulster and America, going back over 200 years.
"Here in the Park we have a ship that is representative of the passage from the old world into the new world and for many Irish emigrants even today it symbolises the link between both countries.
"When we were going through our own suffering an American President came here to offer his condolences and support. It is now our turn to offer condolences and show our solidarity in the aftermath of this terrible atrocity".
At this point in the service local schoolchildren all carrying a flag representing each country that lost citizens in the attack, lined up with local ambulancemen and women.
As each flag was recognised it brought the enormity of this tragedy home to everyone.
Well-known singer Tom Sweeney, then sang a rendition of 'Emigrant Eyes' that reinforced the connection people from Ireland have with the USA.
Solidarity
The solidarity that the crowd felt with America was depicted clearly as the America National Anthem was sung.
Under the grey skies of Tyrone, surrounded by American flags and among the artifacts of New World America the anthem rang out loud and clear.
A sense of unity prevailed and it clearly meant a lot to the Americans visitors at the service. Speaking after the service Mr Clay Vassey, a member of the Bailey Mountain Cloggers who had been stranded in Omagh since all the flights between Europe and America had been cancelled said: " This service was very much needed for the Americans who are here and got to attend.
"We were very shocked by what happened and, of course, we were extremely worried about family and friends.
"Because we are so far from home it is difficult and all we have seen is information from the television and we have not really released our emotions".
"Today coming to this service with the songs of America and the hymns of America, tied it all together and I think the service has helped us to come to terms with what has happened.
"Everything we needed as Americans was provided here at the Folk Park and I appreciated this beautiful service very much".
At the emotional height of the service time was called for reflection.
Movingly
A poem expressing the thoughts of an American poet was movingly read by Mrs Karen Atchison, and this was followed by people of different nationalities reading out some of the thoughts and words of leaders of the faith and states throughout the world.
Mr Narendra Babu Koyyalamudi read from the words of Dr Hanan Ashrawi, a former Palestinian Minister, who responded to the tragedy in this way " We stand together. We feel the pain...We feel that this is a turning point in the history of wars and confrontations.
"This is an invisible enemy, an enemy of all humanity and human rights and freedom".
Mrs I Hassan, expressed the words of Imam Muzammil Siddiqi, the Muslim religious leader who read from the Koran saying " Help us in our distress.
"Keep us together as people of diverse faiths, colours, and races. Keep us strong for the sake of the good and righteousness and protect us. oh God. from all evil". The words of British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Irish President Mary McAleese were also expressed at the service by American visitor Miss Wendy Langer and Mr Michael Duffy from the Bridge Centre Omagh.
Silence
A moment's silence was then called for and as people prayed for America, the bond that links the two countries was almost tangible as people related to the pain and suffering of their fellow human beings across the ocean.
A song was rendered by soloist Mrs Margaret Mitchell and as people reflected on their own thoughts a candle was lit from the evening fire on behalf of all those who had been personally affected by the disaster and for those who were carrying the hurt of the Omagh bombing.
Readings, prayers and song were then offered by the local clergy all of whom spoke with one voice against the terrorist attack.
The service came to an emotive close when Omagh Light Operatic Society sang the last hymn of the evening to the tune of Danny Boy.
This haunting melody brought a calmness and censure to the service and was a very appropriate reminder of the shared history that bonds the two countries.
In the crowd Mr Joey Trompton, an American visitor, was visibly upset as he explained: " I broke down as we sang the star spangled banner because it is the first time we have sung it since the tragedy. We have been over in Ireland and this service has added a personal touch and brought it all home to us".
His friends Autumn Oliver and Wendy Langer agreed with his sentiments and said: " The service was beautiful and its so good to see that everyone in this country cares for America so much".
Local woman, Mrs Shiela Meyers, who has a son and daughter-in-law and two grandchildren in South New Jersey, said she was very glad the service had been conducted, as she appreciated having somewhere to come and participate and express her feelings.
West Tyrone MR. Mr Pat Doherty, was among the crowd and said: " It is very fitting the service was held here giving the connection between Ireland and the USA. I feel honoured to be here paying my respects to those that were so tragically killed.
"I have been to a number of memorable services and I was actually in Brussels on the day of the three minutes silence with a delegation that included the Ulster Unionists, Alliance Party, The Women's Coalition and the SDLP.
"We all stood together with the European Community and remembered the victims of this atrocity. It is overwhelming and it is very difficult to put words too, but services like this is a very fitting tribute to the Americans and Irish Americans involved ".
Flag
Carrying an American flag Mrs Bridget McDermot and her daughter Fiona told of their distress as they awaited news of family members working and living in New York on the day the disaster happened.
Mrs McDermot recalled the day: "I have a nephew who is working for the Police Force in New York and he is on the ground. It was dreadful waiting to hear if he was safe.
"I am aware of how lucky we are as none of my family were killed nor injured but they are going through a very hard time as they knew people that perished. My nephew is now helping out on the ground and it is not easy on him as he is still a young man"
Silently wrapping the authentic American flag around its original eagle flagpole Fiona explained that her uncle had sent it back to Ireland for a more joyous occasion.
She said: " We decided it was an appropriate gesture to bring it along to the service today as a token of respect for all those that died. We never expected to use it for such a solemn occasion".
by Mary Lafferty
THE Ulster American Folk Park, renowned for its close affinity with America, was the fitting venue for a particularly poignant service of remembrance on Thursday last.
Alongside the star-spangled banner, hundreds of people came to pay their respects to the dead, their families and all affected by the terrorist bombs in New York and Washington. Prayers were also said for world peace.
Organised by Omagh Churches Forum this interdenominational church service remembered the victims and their families in a combination of song, poetry and prayer.
For many in the crowd the service brought many painful memories to the fore as they recalled that dreadful day in August 1998, when Omagh town experienced a similar disaster at the hands of terrorists.
As they joined in prayer for those in America they were sure to be remembering that day when 29 people and unborn twins were lost and hundreds more were injured or maimed for life.
The remembrance service was conducted in the open air and took place in front of the Pennsylvanian farmhouse led by churches, staff at the park, local musicians, schoolchildren and members of the local community.
Prior to the service local musicians the Knotty Pine String band sang the emotive lyrics of the song the 'Will the Circle be Unbroken' to the sombre crowd that had come to pay their respects.
Strong links
Opening the service Mr John Gilmour, director of the Ulster American Folk Park, spoke of the strong links Tyrone had with America and how the service recognised the worldwide dimensions of the tragedy, which had personally affected some Tyrone families.
He continued: "It is very appropriate that the service today is held at the Folk Park as we symbolise the links between Ulster and America, going back over 200 years.
"Here in the Park we have a ship that is representative of the passage from the old world into the new world and for many Irish emigrants even today it symbolises the link between both countries.
"When we were going through our own suffering an American President came here to offer his condolences and support. It is now our turn to offer condolences and show our solidarity in the aftermath of this terrible atrocity".
At this point in the service local schoolchildren all carrying a flag representing each country that lost citizens in the attack, lined up with local ambulancemen and women.
As each flag was recognised it brought the enormity of this tragedy home to everyone.
Well-known singer Tom Sweeney, then sang a rendition of 'Emigrant Eyes' that reinforced the connection people from Ireland have with the USA.
Solidarity
The solidarity that the crowd felt with America was depicted clearly as the America National Anthem was sung.
Under the grey skies of Tyrone, surrounded by American flags and among the artifacts of New World America the anthem rang out loud and clear.
A sense of unity prevailed and it clearly meant a lot to the Americans visitors at the service. Speaking after the service Mr Clay Vassey, a member of the Bailey Mountain Cloggers who had been stranded in Omagh since all the flights between Europe and America had been cancelled said: " This service was very much needed for the Americans who are here and got to attend.
"We were very shocked by what happened and, of course, we were extremely worried about family and friends.
"Because we are so far from home it is difficult and all we have seen is information from the television and we have not really released our emotions".
"Today coming to this service with the songs of America and the hymns of America, tied it all together and I think the service has helped us to come to terms with what has happened.
"Everything we needed as Americans was provided here at the Folk Park and I appreciated this beautiful service very much".
At the emotional height of the service time was called for reflection.
Movingly
A poem expressing the thoughts of an American poet was movingly read by Mrs Karen Atchison, and this was followed by people of different nationalities reading out some of the thoughts and words of leaders of the faith and states throughout the world.
Mr Narendra Babu Koyyalamudi read from the words of Dr Hanan Ashrawi, a former Palestinian Minister, who responded to the tragedy in this way " We stand together. We feel the pain...We feel that this is a turning point in the history of wars and confrontations.
"This is an invisible enemy, an enemy of all humanity and human rights and freedom".
Mrs I Hassan, expressed the words of Imam Muzammil Siddiqi, the Muslim religious leader who read from the Koran saying " Help us in our distress.
"Keep us together as people of diverse faiths, colours, and races. Keep us strong for the sake of the good and righteousness and protect us. oh God. from all evil". The words of British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Irish President Mary McAleese were also expressed at the service by American visitor Miss Wendy Langer and Mr Michael Duffy from the Bridge Centre Omagh.
Silence
A moment's silence was then called for and as people prayed for America, the bond that links the two countries was almost tangible as people related to the pain and suffering of their fellow human beings across the ocean.
A song was rendered by soloist Mrs Margaret Mitchell and as people reflected on their own thoughts a candle was lit from the evening fire on behalf of all those who had been personally affected by the disaster and for those who were carrying the hurt of the Omagh bombing.
Readings, prayers and song were then offered by the local clergy all of whom spoke with one voice against the terrorist attack.
The service came to an emotive close when Omagh Light Operatic Society sang the last hymn of the evening to the tune of Danny Boy.
This haunting melody brought a calmness and censure to the service and was a very appropriate reminder of the shared history that bonds the two countries.
In the crowd Mr Joey Trompton, an American visitor, was visibly upset as he explained: " I broke down as we sang the star spangled banner because it is the first time we have sung it since the tragedy. We have been over in Ireland and this service has added a personal touch and brought it all home to us".
His friends Autumn Oliver and Wendy Langer agreed with his sentiments and said: " The service was beautiful and its so good to see that everyone in this country cares for America so much".
Local woman, Mrs Shiela Meyers, who has a son and daughter-in-law and two grandchildren in South New Jersey, said she was very glad the service had been conducted, as she appreciated having somewhere to come and participate and express her feelings.
West Tyrone MR. Mr Pat Doherty, was among the crowd and said: " It is very fitting the service was held here giving the connection between Ireland and the USA. I feel honoured to be here paying my respects to those that were so tragically killed.
"I have been to a number of memorable services and I was actually in Brussels on the day of the three minutes silence with a delegation that included the Ulster Unionists, Alliance Party, The Women's Coalition and the SDLP.
"We all stood together with the European Community and remembered the victims of this atrocity. It is overwhelming and it is very difficult to put words too, but services like this is a very fitting tribute to the Americans and Irish Americans involved ".
Flag
Carrying an American flag Mrs Bridget McDermot and her daughter Fiona told of their distress as they awaited news of family members working and living in New York on the day the disaster happened.
Mrs McDermot recalled the day: "I have a nephew who is working for the Police Force in New York and he is on the ground. It was dreadful waiting to hear if he was safe.
"I am aware of how lucky we are as none of my family were killed nor injured but they are going through a very hard time as they knew people that perished. My nephew is now helping out on the ground and it is not easy on him as he is still a young man"
Silently wrapping the authentic American flag around its original eagle flagpole Fiona explained that her uncle had sent it back to Ireland for a more joyous occasion.
She said: " We decided it was an appropriate gesture to bring it along to the service today as a token of respect for all those that died. We never expected to use it for such a solemn occasion".
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/0937
Published Date: 27-Sep-01
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