On Friday, April 13, it seemed only fitting that Wilkie would hold a vigil, one week after the fatal bus crash that killed 16 members of the Humboldt Broncos hockey team and injured 14 more.
The Mayor and Town of Wilkie helped with the task of getting the things ready for the Vigil, from printing posters to hang in every business, to advertising on their electric sign, and providing the Town of Wilkie flag to be displayed beside the Saskcan Center Arena and placed beside a beautiful bouquet flowers generously donated by Georgine and Bill Thomas, who was a former member of the Wilkie Outlaws and are the owners of Georgine’s Greenhouse in Wilkie. Phil Heilman helped with songs and providing necessary equipment for the speakers and music. The Humboldt Strong banners were kindly donated by the Press Herald and given to those who came out on a very cold evening to pay tribute to the hockey team. Members of the Wilkie and District Fire Department, with three of the fire fighting and rescue vehicles, along with representatives from the Ambulance EMTs were on hand to remember their partners who were involved in dealing with the horrific accident.
A sign displayed a message from Fernie, our Sister City, sending their prayers and thoughts, and as Mayor Giuliano of Fernie said in her message, “Although not there in person, we are there in spirit along with all of the others grieving the senseless loss of those beautiful young lives.” There was also a message from President Tracey Audia, Fernie Minor Hockey and President of Fernie Ghostbusters Junior Hockey Club who echoed the same thoughts as Mayor Guiliano.
As people gathered on that cold winter evening, many thoughts went to the Friday before when the accident happened and how the victims, first responders, firefighters, RCMP and all those involved and how they must have felt in similar weather conditions – this is something that will never leave our minds – the accident affected so many, not just in our province but across the country and the world.
Joe Cey, Wilkie Outlaws announcer, former Outlaw hockey player and a hockey dad opened the evening, mentioning the Wilkie hockey players who played with the Humboldt Broncs – Gerry Cey, Herb Schell, Lester Cey, Lorne Nielsen, Jamie Leidl, Russ Nielsen and Andrew Herle. He talked about the “hockey family” and even though teams are rivals on the ice they had come together to support Humboldt. He said, out of this tragedy there was some good – the young 21-year-old hockey player from Lethbridge who had signed his organ donor card, told his parents about it and how his family, who in the worst nightmare any parent could imagine, respected their young son’s wishes and 6 people are alive because of his gift, and how people are signing their organ donor cards and letting families know their wishes. He also spoke about how the Canadian Blood Services had seen a much-needed increase in blood donations. People wanted to help in anyway they could. He ended with a reminder for everyone – as your son or daughter or any member of your family leaves home – no matter how long they are going to be gone – always say “I love you!” and give them a hug – we never know what the future will hold.
Annette Gutting gave a short homily, opening with, “Heavenly Father, tonight we as a community and surrounding area gather to remember and pray for the many young lives that were lost and many seriously injured a week ago in that tragic accident.” She went on to say, “in a split-second the lives of so many were forever changed.” She asked the Heavenly Father to give strength to the families who are walking down a most painful and difficult road. She went on to say that Humboldt had been her home for 19 years and so all the more this tragedy has a “deep hurt for me and one can’t imagine how deep their hurt is.” She ended with “Humboldt Strong” – may you go forward with hope, courage – God Bless You One and All.
There was a Moment of Silence, followed by the haunting music of Len Cohen’s Hallelujah, with the voices of those at the vigil singing out the chorus, sounding like angels; followed by Over the Rainbow and people slowly lighting their candles and saying a quiet prayer, and it was then the sun peaked out – just enough to let everyone know there is always hope!
