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Show Wednesday, December 13, 2006 A5 Vernal Express Angel draws those seeking hopeandtealmg By Jennifer Petty Express Writer It is estimated that 300 people were in attendance at the first annual Angel of Hope Candlelight Ceremony held last Wednesday. Bereaved parents gathered at the 71 monuments across the nation on that night to remember their loved ones. The Angel is supposed to be a healing place for people who have lost loved ones and specifically, specifi-cally, for parents who have lost children. The Vernal ceremony was filled with musical numbers num-bers by the Dry Fork Children's Choir, Becky Alexander, and Marianne Davis. Marty Young, pastor of Vernal Christian Church gave the invocation and prayed for comfort and that those present could focus on hope. Sarah Watkins was the first speaker of the evening. Watkins lost two of her children in a fire in March 2005. Her daughter Leslie was 11 and her son Isaac was 2. A propane leak ignited and destroyed a Colorado lodge. There were 13 adults and eight children in the lodge and nearly near-ly all were injured. Alexander said, "I felt angels helping me that day. I knew I'd make it through it." She then urged, "I know there is hope. Do not give up. Our loved ones want us to go on. The Lord never said it would be easy, he only said it would be worth it." "Before the accident," said Alexander, "I took everything for granted. Now I enjoy every moment." Alexander then read a poem by David Romano called "When Tomorrow Starts Without Me," part of which says, "So when tomorrow starts without me, don't think we're far apart, For every time you think of me, I'm right here in your heart." Duane and Brenda Cook also addressed those present. The Cook's son Dallin died in his sleep this past October. "I didn't realize how much strength and support I could get from others," said Duane Cook. He then spoke about looking at our- whole life as a novel, not just this middle chapter of the book that we are presently in. Brenda Cook said, "We've come to know Dallin better after his passing as others have shared how he touched their lives." Cook then said how she Pavers with the names of loved ones lead up to the monument. II r' The Dry Fork Children's Choir sang found comfort in the service of others, giving service to others, and in their faith, scriptures, and other good books. "We also find comfort in finding or knowing that there is a purpose in pain," she said. Cook also shared two quotes that have brought her comfort in her pain. After the Cook's message, there was a moment of silence after which the audience joined in singing "May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You." Members of the audience then laid flowers flow-ers on the Angel monument in remembrance of their loved ones. The Angel of Hope monument monu-ment is based on the site where a mother grieves the loss of her child in Richard Paul Evan's Book, "The Christmas Box." The first angel monument was dedicated on December 6, 1994 in the Salt Lake City Cemetery. The monument was put in place in Vernal through the efforts of many people, but Pam Merrill was one of those who spearheaded the efforts. Merrill lost her son Britt four years ago in a car accident. Through her work she said, "The Angel of Hope project brought new meaning and purpose into our lives after losing our son, Britt. The monument represents hope, and we wanted to offer that hope to those who feel the pain of losing a child. Hope is all we have to hang on to when we are overcome by sorrow. The project has helped us to see that we are not alone in our grief." Merrill's husband Wayne, who has also worked extensively extensive-ly to get the angel monument in place, said, "We understand the importance of being supported in grief. Those who have lost children recognize that grieving griev-ing is a process, not an event. We gather for the candlelight ceremony once a year not only to remember our children, but to support each other in our 4T A lone red flower lies on a paving ti "Where is Heaven" at the beginning of 1, , . , 3. wittier: . ''mtmm.Jiu.-SL .. . . ' , Flowers to be laid on the monument JL$. v'm . . . k Sarah Watkins spoke of how she coped after losing two children during an accidental fire. S S - i y jf ' ' 'v jr. -t jr- jar. , w mm stone leading up to the monument, the evening. fi) rest on one of the marble benches surrounding the Angel of Hope. sorrow. If just one bereaved parent has felt hope and peace from the Angel of Hope in Vernal, then all the efforts of ' those 'who have contributed to the monument have been worth it." The lighting of the monument monu-ment has been a sort of miracle in itself and is indicative of the community contributions that have made the monument possible. pos-sible. Earlier in the year, committee com-mittee members worked to get permanent lighting, but things r I I A ceremony attendee places a flower at the feet of the Angel of Hope. Red Canyon feels like the middle of nowhere. If the middle of nowhere had warm cabins and fine dining. Enjoy a delicious meal at Flaming Gorge Country's premier resort. Our restaurant, is open every weekend for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Luxury log cabins available upon request. 'J A moment of silence provided time didn't seem to be working out Committee member Mark Raymond contact the County Commissioners for approval of the lighting and others like electrician elec-trician Rian Peltier, cemetery sexton Jim Evans, and Robert W ... The civilized way to enjoy thm frtat Highway 44 Flaming Gorge 43S.M9.8789 .redomyonlodgt.oom Partners in ncraatton with Aihlcjr Kkttoul to remember loved ones. Williams who helped make the lighting possible financially, "just worked together and set aside the reasons it couldn't happen and made it happen," said Raymond. outdoors. , Country fWMt 4 1 Candles brought hope-like light to the cold night. S |