TERRY WAITE URGES OMAGH TO LOOK TO THE FUTURE
Terry Waite urges Omagh to look to the future
BY MARK McKELVEY
m.mckelvey@ulsterherald.com
OUT of tragedy can come hope and optimism. That was the positive message left by peace envoy Terry Waite CBE who urged the people of Omagh to look to the future.
Mr Waite, who was a Lebanese hostage for five years from 1987 to 1991, was the guest of honour at last Friday's Council organised memorial. Unfortunately, due to a prior engagement in Japan addressing elderly survivors of the Second World War, he was unable to attend Sunday's family arranged service.
He did however leave a message of hope that was read by Pearl Barker.
"I am so sorry that I can not be with you today... but in this letter I ask you to do one thing. Look to the future.
"A new generation is growing up in Omagh and it is to them that we should look. Static memorials have their place but living memorials also have tremendous value.
"Would it not be wonderful if a scholarship was established in the name of the young people that died ten years ago? Perhaps a scholarship that would enable a young person to spend time with the United Nations or to go on to university to engage in peace studies. If something along these lines could be developed that would be one way of bringing good out of tragedy."
Speaking after the ceremony on Friday, Mr Waite, who has worked to bring peace and reconciliation to war-torn countries across the world, described the human spirit displayed in Omagh as "remarkable."
Mr Waite said, "It was an extremely moving ceremony. I sat on the platform and looked around and thought it was most poignant, particularly at 3.10pm when we had the silence. I am sure most people there were focused on the terrible tragedy that hit this town.
He continued, "I am so glad that I was here today. Not that this necessary marks a closure for everybody as you have to give the wounds time to heal, but it was an important occasion when we remember and pledge ourselves that violence is no way to resolve some of the difficult problems.
"Human spirit is remarkably resilient. I always try and put myself in the shoes of someone else, but I do know that in the majority of cases, suffering need not destroy, it can be turned around and something creative can come from it.
"That is what I think Omagh is saying today. We are not going to be defeated by this, but something creative is going to emerge and is emerging already."
BY MARK McKELVEY
m.mckelvey@ulsterherald.com
OUT of tragedy can come hope and optimism. That was the positive message left by peace envoy Terry Waite CBE who urged the people of Omagh to look to the future.
Mr Waite, who was a Lebanese hostage for five years from 1987 to 1991, was the guest of honour at last Friday's Council organised memorial. Unfortunately, due to a prior engagement in Japan addressing elderly survivors of the Second World War, he was unable to attend Sunday's family arranged service.
He did however leave a message of hope that was read by Pearl Barker.
"I am so sorry that I can not be with you today... but in this letter I ask you to do one thing. Look to the future.
"A new generation is growing up in Omagh and it is to them that we should look. Static memorials have their place but living memorials also have tremendous value.
"Would it not be wonderful if a scholarship was established in the name of the young people that died ten years ago? Perhaps a scholarship that would enable a young person to spend time with the United Nations or to go on to university to engage in peace studies. If something along these lines could be developed that would be one way of bringing good out of tragedy."
Speaking after the ceremony on Friday, Mr Waite, who has worked to bring peace and reconciliation to war-torn countries across the world, described the human spirit displayed in Omagh as "remarkable."
Mr Waite said, "It was an extremely moving ceremony. I sat on the platform and looked around and thought it was most poignant, particularly at 3.10pm when we had the silence. I am sure most people there were focused on the terrible tragedy that hit this town.
He continued, "I am so glad that I was here today. Not that this necessary marks a closure for everybody as you have to give the wounds time to heal, but it was an important occasion when we remember and pledge ourselves that violence is no way to resolve some of the difficult problems.
"Human spirit is remarkably resilient. I always try and put myself in the shoes of someone else, but I do know that in the majority of cases, suffering need not destroy, it can be turned around and something creative can come from it.
"That is what I think Omagh is saying today. We are not going to be defeated by this, but something creative is going to emerge and is emerging already."
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH10An/59
Published Date: 21-Aug-08
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