Ascension : Thank you
Submitted by The Islander (Shari Parkhill) 10.04.2008 (Article Archived on 24.04.2008)
I would like to extend my grateful thanks and appreciation to the many people who helped to make my dream of a Day of Remembrance to commemorate the contributions of Americans to the history of Ascension a wonderful reality.
Of course, to all my fellow Heritage Society members who worked so hard to make sure everything went well, I thank you. Elizabeth Hill, Betty and Roy Haley, Bonnie and Mac McDowell, Richard Whitear, Ed Kersake, Jim Reed and Chelley Tulloch, you all helped in so many ways.
The list of other people who helped in so many different ways is long. My only hope is that I don’t forget anyone. If I have, please forgive my forgetfulness. It is purely unintentional (I probably just misplaced that slip of paper!). First of all, my thanks go out to Justine Yon. Without you, there would be no books. Your computer skills are amazing, and your friendship even greater.
Many more on the list (in no particular order as they say!!):
Chaplain La Pack, Father Norris and Canon Clive for their wonderful memorial service; Frances Dixon and Dr. Milenko for giving the speeches at the Hydroponics and hospital sites;
Squadron Leader Chris Ramsden, Major Robert Light, Major Justin Mulkey, MSgt. Michael Cyr and Administrator (Acting) Nicola Kerslake for their moving participation in the memorial service; Betty Haley for the wonderful wreath she made to help us honour the old cemetery site; CSR for the donation of the flag; CSR, the Roman Catholic Diocese of the South Atlantic Island, the 45th Operations Group, and the individuals who sponsored the new Heritage Boards; Melvin Moyce, your carpentry skills are beyond measure; Mac who helped build exhibits; Betty, Richard, Gene, Elizabeth, and Betty for helping to put the Rogers Room together, painting, cleaning, printing pictures, hanging the exhibits and generally making the room look spectacular; Justin and Gavin from IDL who painted the US monuments and cleaned the plaques; Nicholas Thomas for painting doors at the museum; Guy Barallon and Mandy Michael who helped us out with tablecloths, napkins and chairs for the Grotto; Pete Gillies, who once and for all proved where the old cemetery was located; Alicen Bedrosian, John Mills, and JJ Buckley, Mac and Gene Austin who drove the buses that transported our guests to the various sites; Johnny Hobson who photographed the event for us; Al Mack and Dennis Francis who videotaped the event; Barry Snodgrass of Canada for his wonderful CD “I am Coming Home”; The Residency staff who made the delicious nibbles and supplied the glasses for the reception; Bonnie & Mac for taking care of the refreshments; Roy Haley for acting as Master of Ceremonies and shepherding us all around the various sites!; the AIG employees who erected the boards, and delivered chairs to the Grotto; Stevie Bowers and his crew who also delivered chairs to the Grotto; Callum & Martin for their work making the Grotto look so nice; Nicola and Robert Light for cutting the ribbon and reopening the Rogers Room; Doug Rogers for his support and pictures; Warren McCarty, Jr., for donating his father’s collection of WWII photos; Jeff Cant for sharing his photos, research, information and insights, without him, none of this would be possible; Harry Turner, Jeff Cantrell, Leon Lacy, and so many others for sharing their memories; Father Norris, Chaplain La Pack, Michael Hughes, Major Light and MSgt. Cyr for helping to unveil the new Heritage boards; Major Light for convincing the 45th OG of the importance of having a USAF Chaplain help us to truly honour the US servicemen who lived on Ascension, and especially those who lost their lives here; Chaplain La Pack, Father Norris and Major Mulkey for traveling such distances to join in our celebrations.
And to Bernard Peterson, who although couldn’t be here for the Day, supported me in the months of planning, writing and panicking leading up to it!
And to Elizabeth Hill for the fateful words that started me on this journey – thanks!
With my gratitude & thanks
Shari Parkhill
|
