Hundreds gather for memorial service

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This article was published 23/06/2023 (1090 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Community and religious leaders came together with the people of Dauphin for a solemn ceremony Thursday evening to honour those lost a week earlier in a fatal minibus crash.

At least 300 people filled the Ukrainian Orthodox Auditorium to grieve and reminisce about the 16 people who died and send support to the nine people still in hospital.

Every available seat in the venue was occupied, with some standing along the outer edge of the hall to observe the proceedings.

“Tonight we pray for those who are deceased, those who survived the crash and for the first responders,” Father Brent Kuzyk of St. George’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church said in his introduction.

Kuzyk said part of the intent of the ceremony was to recall memories of loved ones as an antidote to the sadness felt due to their loss.

“Tragedy need not become eternal tragedy,” he said.

As Kuzyk delivered his sermon, some dabbed away tears with tissues.

He implored those in attendance to pray for the deceased and to keep their memory alive. At future family events, he suggested leaving a place-setting for them at dinner.

Throughout the ceremony, specific prayers were offered by several priests for the victims, the survivors, first responders and medical staff caring for survivors.

Other faith leaders read from scripture and sang hymns as well as a rendition of “Amazing Grace.”

Reflecting the ancestry of many in the community, remarks and prayers were offered in both English and Ukrainian.

At the beginning of the ceremony, 18 white candles were lit by Pastor Loralyn Lind of Dauphin First Baptist Church on a table in front of the stage.

Of those, 16 were dedicated to those who died. After their names were read out during the ceremony, the audience was asked to stand in a moment of silence so they could offer their personal prayers. Some embraced each other as they stood.

Spaced slightly from the others, one of the candles was for those who survived, including the drivers. Next to it was the final candle, in honour of the first responders who attended the scene.

The candles in honour of the dead were said to be given to the families at the end of the ceremony.

While natural disasters can be prepared for, Rural Municipality of Dauphin Reeve Ernie Sirski said, a loss like this cannot.

“To those who have lost loved ones, we give you our deepest and most sincere condolences,” Sirski said before wishing well those families with relatives still in hospital.

Dauphin Mayor David Bosiak spoke of the outpouring of support from around the country, from fellow mayors and reeves to Lt.-Gov. Anita Neville, Premier Heather Stefanson and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

“We have lost a tremendous amount of our history,” Bosiak said. “We have lost family, we have lost friends … we are hurting, but we are also resilient.”

On top of comments from those in attendance, Pastor Andrew Wiens read remarks sent by Trudeau, who said Dauphin has shown the world what it means to be Canadian in the wake of the tragedy.

“Today it is with great grief that we remember the 16 lives lost in Dauphin,” Wiens said on Trudeau’s behalf. “We remember how things can change in the blink of an eye.”

After the end of the approximately 45-minute ceremony, guests were invited to remain to enjoy refreshments, speak with mental health professionals and reminisce about their loved ones.

» cslark@brandonsun.com, with files from Geena Mortfield, Kelly Geraldine Malone and The Canadian Press

» Twitter: @ColinSlark