Fisherman's Memorial

Treasure Beach Forum: TB Runnin's: Fisherman's Memorial
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rebecca on Sunday, March 12, 2006 - 08:39 am: Edit Post

It was a night filled with emotion. It was sad, happy, magical, and mostly cathartic.

I will give you a full report as soon as possible, however, I am off to the Treasure Girls Cricket match at the moment!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rebecca on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 07:23 am: Edit Post

The tribute to persons who had lost their lives at sea held Saturday night was one of the most emotional memorials I have ever attended. The tribute was MC'd by Shawn Taylor. It began with a moving prayer offered by Pastor Wonlis Campbell. Then the reading of the peom "Out to Sea" written by Glaceta Honeyghan. It was to have been read by Joyce Ebanks, however, last minute she was unable to attend so I read the poem.

Then Mrs. Sheila Hamilton gave an emotion filled reading of the tribute written by Earl Moxam which will be the words posted on TB.Net for the memorial to persons who lost their lives at sea. I have read these words over several times now and each time the cold bumps arise on my arms as Earl intimately captures the sentiment and inpact on this small village of lives lost. Immediately after this reading, Jeanne Genus led us in the singing of the Fishermen's Hymn. After this I said a few words regarding the memorial which will be posted on TB.Net in the near future.

Then came the reading of the names. Vil James slowly read off each name on the list. A reverent crowd watched as a family memeber came forth with each name called and was presented with a lit candle. Shawn Taylor and Dennis Abrahams distributed the candles. This was one of the most poignant moments of the event, as we watched the number of candles grow, seeing one person holding two or three candles in their hands representing members of their family lost.

candlespoolside

At the conclusion of the reading of the names, everyone stood, raised their candles high and shared a moment of silence. The song "Lean on Me" was played and as the song grew stronger, so did we, concluding with folks clapping hands to the beat of the song, hugging each other, and the release of many butterflies who flew into the air and landed on several people on their way to search out the heat of the lights. This was followed by a few more hymns being sung.

butterflies

Dennis Abrahams spoke on the progess which the fishing industry has made on communications while at sea over the last few years. He described the radio system now available for South Coast fishermen, GPS sytems, cell phone use, and earlier warnings of upcoming storms - all of which we hope - will play a part in saving lives in the future.

Kory South gave the vote of thanks. Lastly, everyone moved to the wall by the sea to watch as Shawn Taylor and Bernard Sutherland threw flowers into the sea in remeberance of those lost.

This night was originally planned as a dance. As more folks heard about it, the event literally took on a life of it's own and developed into a beautiful memorial service. Special thanks must be given to Kory South for realizing the importance of the night, changing all original plans and pouring his energies into the last few days to host this tribute. Thanks must also go to the sponsors who gave in cash and kind: Sunset Resort, Marblue, TB.Net, Jakes, Dennis Abrahams, and many more. Several people called and asked how they could help, once again proving what a great community Treasure Beach is - with everyone working together for such a worthwhile cause.

When someone is lost at sea, typically, there is no funeral or memorial service held. Saturday night, more than once, I heard the word closure being used. Many tears shed, and laughter spent as we remembered the lives of those lost. We are looking foward to this being an annual event and we would like to work towards a physical memorial being set up in honor of those lost.

Remembering . . .

(To see more photos of the event - check out the photo gallery)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rebecca on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 08:11 am: Edit Post

Due to my slow connection, I was unable to upload the photos on the photo gallery, so I will display them here:

An emotion filled night.

susieveeda

Shawn Taylor - MC

shawntaylor

Miss Sheila reading Earl Moxam's Tribute

Miss Sheila

Remembering

evaldesty

The candle lighting ceremony

candledawn

candlebeebee

candlesusie

candleson

bolcandle

mrmoxam

kevin

So Many Candles . . .

somanycandles

candlespoolside

Releasing of the Butterflies

butterflies

Flowers to the Sea

flowers


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By TBNet on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 09:08 am: Edit Post

We need some help in putting the online memorial together.

...or at least we did. Pattywatt and girlgriot took up the slack (and Nurse Rachett also offered)

Thanks! Look for the memorial to be posted soon.

-TBNet


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By girlgriot on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 03:05 pm: Edit Post

If I can be of some help, I'll gladly chip in. I've posted plenty, but others are surely more experienced than I. Let me know what I can do.
GG


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By nurse ratchet on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 03:58 pm: Edit Post

I'm no computer whiz, but I'm willing to help.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By nurse ratchet on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 09:27 pm: Edit Post

I forgot to give you my email.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By TBNet on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 11:18 pm: Edit Post

Nurse, we might stilll need your help. Will email tomorrow AM if so.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By nurse ratchet on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 05:41 am: Edit Post

OK


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By BOWL on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 09:57 am: Edit Post

Hi Rebecca

Thank you and all whose effort and contribution
put the above program together.
We want to thank Dr.Chris Tufton to find
time from his busy schedule to give a speach.
I am willing to put in my bit of help whenever
i am call upon.
(BOWL)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Sophia on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 11:08 am: Edit Post

My condolences to everyone who had lost their loved one's especially my grand uncle Mr. Gosten Moxam and the rest of the Moxam family may god continue to bless you and keep you strong. You are such a wonderful person i'm proud to be a part of your family love you always.

God bless you
Sophia NY


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Earl on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 11:26 pm: Edit Post

LOST AT SEA…


It starts with a piercing scream. A high-pitched, agonizing cry from a lone female voice… that of a mother, a partner, a sister, a daughter.

Then it is picked up by another… and another… and another. It is a relay of grief, that makes its way up from the cove sheltered by the bluff at Great Bay, across the sand dunes of Olde Wharf, through the pine trees whistling in the breeze at Calabash Bay.

It gnaws at the trunk of the old button wood tree at Frenchman – a witness to so much that has gone before… that keeper of secrets held dear.

If you listen carefully you will hear it in the waves crashing against the rocks in Billy’s Bay and up in the hills overlooking Fort Charles.

It sweeps up from Greenfield, into Lewis Town and Bluntas, Sandy Bank and Beacon, and Cross Roads and Flagaman. It weaves them all together in a tapestry of loss, and pain, and ultimately, redemptive love.

Pick any year and you will find this experience recorded in the annals of Treasure Beach.

But you will have to pause for deep reflection at 1963 - the year of ‘The Snowboy’. Two scores, gone in a moment; a third of them from this place. This place of peace and warmth and light hearted banter. Where we greet each other as ‘cuz’ and ‘breds’. It is a language all our own. Because we know, more than most, the duplicity of the sea, which gives with one wave then takes away with another.

We see the woman, as she holds him 'tight’ in the dead of night, or just before daylight. This, she knows, only too well, might be the last goodbye shared with this rugged man. This fisherman, his arms bristling with strength, built from memorable battles with the raging sea.

“Tek care”, she tells him softly.
“Si yu lata!”, he replies more brightly.
He cannot let her feel HIS fears.
After all he’s the man, so he tells himself he must show no weakness.

But what is man when he’s up against the power of nature? He cannot rely on his own devices. He must call on The Higher Power.

And so, as he slips into the shadows, he begins to whistle his favourite hymn.

(Slightly edited version of tribute delivered at function honouring those lost to the sea
- em)









Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By tommyboy261 on Friday, March 17, 2006 - 01:56 pm: Edit Post

There seems to be a page missing from the history of the Snowboy. This boat was a converted PT Boat, the same type that President J.F. Kennedy served on in WWII in the Pacific. The boat was first brought to Montego Bay from Miami by an american,(can't remember his name at present, I was a young boy then) and captained by an australian by the name of O'Toole. The boat originally set sail from Montego Bay to go fishing at Pedro Banks. There is more to the story, some of it not too pleasant. If you care to learn more, please contact me.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By bowl on Friday, March 17, 2006 - 09:33 pm: Edit Post

to tommyboy

a part of your recollection is incorect
the "snowboy"was in mobay at first but
on the night of the tragidy it sail out
from zero wharf in kgn.with the fishermen