The frigid rain let up for a minute, the skies parted a little and the white light of the sun shined through what was, moments ago, a dark gray gloom.

Bells tolled at exactly 2:03 p.m. Friday, marking the exact moment on Dec. 21, 1988, that a bomb exploded on Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing 35 Syracuse University students returning from study abroad trips in London and Florence, Italy.

The 2011-12 Remembrance and Lockerbie Scholars emerged from the Hall of Languages, lining up on both walkways leading up to the Wall of Remembrance for SU’s annual Rose Laying Ceremony.

White ribbons with the names of the students who were lost, written in blue ink and tied to the trees lining the walkways, waved in the wind as the procession of scholars made their way to the wall. Some in the crowd of approximately 100 were seated in the area immediately in front of the wall, while others stood watching along the sides.

Following a brief introduction, 33 of this year’s 35 Remembrance Scholars — two are studying abroad — and both Lockerbie Scholars approached one of two microphones one at a time, a white rose in hand.

Each scholar, sporting a navy blue scarf embroidered with the image of a dove, the words ‘We Remember’ and the date of the bombing, ’12. 21. 88,’ spoke into the microphone and said a few words about the student he or she represented.

The audience, consisting of the victims’ families and families of this year’s scholars, listened intently as the names of each student who perished was read, including Kesha Weedon, who volunteered to care for immigrant children while in London and Gretchen Joyce Dater, who hoped to teach art to elementary school students.

Some laughed quietly to themselves as they listened to a scholar relay Miriam Wolfe’s high-reaching set of ambitions, which included becoming an Oscar-winning actress.

The scholars, each wearing a pin signifying the student they spoke of, ended the tribute by laying their roses in honor of the students they represented on top of the Wall of Remembrance. The scholars then circled back behind the wall and stood opposite University Avenue, facing the seated audience members, until the last scholar finished speaking.

The 30-minute ceremony that saw slashing rains and strong winds, at times, and light and relative calm during other times, concluded with a Scottish bagpiper’s rendition of ‘Amazing Grace.’

At the end, Judy O’Rourke, member of the Remembrance Scholar selection committee and director of undergraduate studies, remarked that a rainbow appeared sometime during the ceremony.

Emerson Gale, a senior political science and philosophy major, said it was important for him to attend the ceremony during his final year as a student. Gale said the tribute each scholar paid to the lost students highlights the significance of each person.

‘I think it demonstrates, through remembrance, the importance of all individuals because we’re all unique,’ Emerson said. ‘We all have unique aspects of ourselves to contribute to the world.’

Paul DiVita, father of Katie DiVita, one of this year’s Remembrance Scholars, said he was moved by the thought of losing a child.

Said DiVita: ‘It would be heart-wrenching.’

dbtruong@syr.edu 

Published on November 13, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Contact Debbie: dbtruong@syr.edu | @debbietruong