For the week of  September 19 - 25, 2001

Valley vigils seek 
healing words

‘Bound by a common tragedy’

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By DANA DUGAN
Express Staff Writer

All over the Wood River Valley vigils and religious ceremonies were held last week to mourn those killed, missing and injured in the terrorist attacks Sept. 11 against New York City and Washington, D.C., and those who sacrificed their lives in the skies over Pennsylvania.

A candlelight vigil was held at Giacobbi Square in Ketchum Tuesday evening in response to the day’s horrific events that unfolded before our eyes in a barrage of TV coverage. Close to 100 valley residents met to light candles, hold hands and observe a moment of silence.

In answer to President Bush’s declaration of a national day of prayer and remembrance, an Interfaith Service was held Friday afternoon at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Ketchum. Participating were the Wood River Jewish Community, the Presbyterians, Muslims, Buddhists, Catholics, Light on the Mountain Church and Episcopalians.

The service began with the whole congregation of more than 250 singing "America." Each church leader or representative then read a statement or prayer, including a letter of condolence written by the Dali Lama. Each was followed by a Taizé Chant, "By Night."

Intercessions were said toward the end of the service. The first was, "We gather as people of different faiths, different traditions, but bound by a common tragedy and our shared humanity. We hold in prayer those for whom our hearts ache."

The service ended with a singing of "Let There be Peace on Earth and Let It Begin With Me."

Also on Friday afternoon the Wood River High School’s homecoming parade in Hailey was halted for several minutes to observe a moment of silence.

While a ceremony was held at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Friday at noon, and broadcast nationwide, another national rite was being plotted.

E-mails alerted millions of people to step outside their doors, stop their cars, or step out of their establishments and light a candle. on Friday at 6 p.m. (8 p.m. MST). The message was "We will show the world that Americans are strong and united together against terrorism."

In response, a candlelight vigil was held at the Forest Service Park in Ketchum.

In Hailey along Main Street patrons of restaurants left their food on the tables, stood outside and lit candles. The observance was silent, save for the beeping of several car horns in support as people drove by.

And in a truly all-American manner, just before the homecoming game began, each team put their helmets on the 40 yard line and stood still along with the cheerleaders. The head referee held a candle, which the captain of each team lit, then the teams and spectators observed a moment of silence. Also during the homecoming game, a hat was passed through the stands to raise money to donate to the Red Cross.

There were many signs of patriotism all over the valley, more flags are flying than normal, cars carry small flags and windows are adorned with flags, as is usually only seen in wartime.

The Wood River Fire and Rescue Chief Bart Lassman submitted a letter to be read at the interfaith service, in it he wrote, "for those of us who know some of those who have departed this earth, there is no greater respect you can pay to another human being than to carry on with your life."

Hear our prayer.

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