The following was written on a KSL news message board about the accident. I was so moved by it that I decided to post it here. The writer is responding to a post on the message board from a man who took offense to the students at the accident site singing hymns to comfort one another when they discovered their teacher had died to save them. The complaint was, 'what difference does it make?'
Even people who profess no faith at all know that music can calm the mind and just as easily stir up emotions. Attend any musical venue and you have to know that it's true. The premise of your comment is like a sieve with water poured to it. Empty. Of all people these musicians should be afforded the respect to deal with loss in the manner they deem best for them.
When it comes to being let down, I prefer to believe that it is mankind that has most let down the One.
Music is a powerful force. This weekend's performances were no exception. I know because I was there. I am a Band Dad with the Meridian, ID High School Marching Band, and was in Pocatello at Holt Arena Saturday. It was a pleasure and an honor to participate in a wonderful day of musical excellence. Our Band director, Mr. Greg Felton works hard to bring out the best in our students. One way to help a student learn is by example and that is why earlier in the day Mr. Felton told everyone, "Ladies and Gentlemen, I know we're finished with what we've set out to do here and I'm proud of the performance that we gave today, but we're not going to leave until after we've seen American Fork in the Open Division competition. We have a lot that we can learn from those people." I'm glad we did.
As the AF Band, Pit, and support crews filed onto the field I could already tell we were in for a treat. Their competence and dedication were already well evident. When the banner train came onto the field I knew this was one show I just had to record. The old WWII posters and photos setting the stage and the girls in the "Rosie the Riveter" outfits were amazing! My daughter, a French Horn/Mellophone player, was sitting by my side and when the music started playing we just turned and looked at each other. Finally she said, "Dad they're..., and with tears already in my eyes all I could say was, Yeah, I know". We were listening to the theme music from the HBO WWII movie series "Band of Brothers". For the first time, just one week ago, my daughter and I watched in a three night marathon all five discs of the awe inspiring efforts of the Men and Buddies that helped win for us the freedoms we now enjoy. (The morning after we finished watching it I made it a point to buy a dear WWII veteran friend of mine breakfast and thank him too.) Through the entire program I watched through eyes filled, and cheeks stained, with tears. The finale was the 'capstone' of an absolutely incredible performance. The awards they received Saturday night are WELL DESERVED.
We left Pocatello for home shortly after that memorable show. We stopped in Burley for dinner and continued on our way at 6:30pm. We were traveling west in our two-bus caravan. The sun had just set in the distance. The earth below the horizon had gone black and the long narrow sliver of sky between it and the low clouds had turned blood red. What happened next makes me shiver as I reflect now on that moment. I was sitting three seats behind the driver and was watching the bus just ahead of us as the thought occurred to me; 'If this bus for some reason was to lose control and drive off the road, what would I do?, how would I react? I pondered that for a minute, didn't like what I was thinking about, and put it out of my mind.
Approximately 30 minutes before our arrival in Meridian our Dance Team coach received a cell phone call from her mother with the news of the accident; that an adult had died and that many students were taken to the hospital. When we pulled up to the curb at the high school and just before we disembarked we broke the news to the kids. We were a humbled group as we set to the task of unloading and putting away our instruments and props. It was about 9:45pm as I made my way to the front of the school to head home when I saw a large group of students standing near and around the flag pole next to our Meridian Warriors monument stone near the main entrance to the school. On their own they were joining hands, forming an impromptu prayer circle, to pray for the students and families of American Fork High School and of the tragedy that had befallen them. With a lump in my throat I joined in.
As I now think about that prayer circle I recall the hymn 'Amazing Grace' was playing itself over and over in my mind. How appropriate. The fact is even 10,000 years can't change the impact of the sacrifices that Heather Christensen made for her students and the ultimate sacrifice she gave by taking the wheel to protect her kids. She did the Right Thing. She had the Right Stuff. We can only hope to be like her.
To my dying day, when I see the black and red of a Western Sunset, I will remember the events of that special day in Heather's life and in those moments remind myself to strive to make the rest of the days left in mine a little better for it.
Go Black and Red
Take it to the top!
Dale Stucker
Meridian, Idaho
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