Remembrance

An early rise this morning as it was the annual service at the Air India Disaster Memorial. Even more significant than usual as it was the 30th Anniversary - 30 years since 329 people were killed by a bomb on board Air India flight 182 as it travelled from Montreal to New Delhi via Heathrow. The explosion occurred 100 miles off the Irish coast and within Irish Air Traffic Control. The Irish Coast Guards were called out, in fact any boats in the vicinity headed towards the site. There were no survivors. Only 131 bodies were recovered and brought to Cork Regional Hospital.
Land was donated in Ahakista as a Memorial Garden. It is a stunningly beautiful place - immaculately kept, sometimes wild and windswept others still and serene. Today the morning was calm as several hundred people gathered to remember those who had died at precisely 8.13am. There were dignitaries from Canada, India and Ireland, local people and  many family members of those who had lost their lives. Prayers and poems, a minute's silence, songs by children from the local primary school, the laying of wreaths, a salute by the naval vessel anchored in the bay, a fly by by an Air Rescue helicopter and most powerful of all, words from some of those whose lives had been forever changed.
A young woman with her husband and two small children remembering her two sisters; another young woman remembering the mother she lost when she was only one year old; a mother remembering her two young sons who were travelling unaccompanied to visit their grandparents - mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, friends.
An extra poignant touch this year. There were many men in immaculate white shirts and the shiniest shoes I have ever seen - naval officers; and then there was another group of more characterful men - hats, pony tails, a bit of middle aged spread. These turned out to have been the men who answered the mayday call and were the first to arrive on the scene. It looked like many hadn't seen each other for years, so big were the hugs and laughter and the odd tear.
All remarked on the extraordinary kindness of the Irish people in helping them in their darkest hours and for providing such a beautiful place to come and think, and grieve and give thanks.
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We have an adventure coming up so I'm off piste till next week - catch you then.