Blessings On You, Banner Elk,
In Your Time Of Grief

We were in a writer’s meeting mid-morning on Thursday when the call came in from Brunswick County regarding the boating tragedy that claimed four lives on the North Carolina Coast. I could not concentrate another minute after hearing that the four who perished, plus the two survivors, were Banner Elk firemen. An old Avery County gal from birth, transplanted across the county line a dozen years ago, I immediately began to process the information; my heart hurt and my stomach churned as I thought of the local families I knew who were associated with the fire department. Naturally, since working in Banner Elk for nearly ten years in the early eighties, I knew many of them and my thoughts went to the Berry family, could it have been a Ruppard . . . or someone from the Ramsey or Townsend families? Those were familiar names that came to mind and my prayers immediately went out to the entire town. Soon after leaving the meeting, still in shock, my cell phone began ringing. A friend had just driven through Banner Elk and saw the unusual crowd gathering at the fire station in the middle of the day; another friend called her phone to confirm her suspicions. Yes, something terrible had happened, and it would forever change the lives of the Banner Elk Fire Department. Staying close to the phone, the radio and news outlets throughout the afternoon, the details became clear . . . As the mother of one teenage son recently licensed to drive and ready for a little independence, I thought of those other mothers, fathers, siblings, friends, co-workers who were trying to process the news that they would never see their loved ones again . . . they would never hear the funny stories of the fishing trip that should never have gone wrong. I also thought of the mothers of the two survivors – and what joy it would be for them to wrap them tightly in their arms and thank God for the miracles standing before them. As I began to hear the names of the victims, I thought of Sue Bell, an incredible nurse with whom I once had the privilege of working, a mother to Kevin, who brought her much joy through the years. I remember hearing that he had obtained his Eagle rank in Boy Scouts, though eventually I lost contact. Sue died last year . . . and now, her husband, Mickey, and family are left to mourn yet another loss. Too much, too soon, it seems.

On Friday evening, we rode through Banner Elk enroute to visit a sick relative in Tennessee. We pulled into a parking lot beside the fire station and noticed from a distance, the tears were falling like raindrops. We didn’t intrude on those gathered around the big red fire engine pulled out of the bay, adorned by four firemen’s hats, an American flag and flower arrangements piling up all around, but our sympathy was real, just the same.

On Sunday, we listened to the obituaries on Newland’s radio station, as the lives of “Arch” McFadyen, “Griff” Lyerly, Kevin Bell and Mike Shope were reflected upon. We tearfully listened as each one was memorialized for his accomplishments, his dreams and his willingness to help others . . . we listened as the names of survivors were called out, wishing we could lift the burden of pain from their hearts . . .that we could do something to help, all the while trying to imagine the devastation they were experiencing. We thought of the Lees McRae staff and college students returning from spring break, to learn of the loss of their dear friends, and how devastating the last weeks of class for them will be.

We thought of Virgil Poore and Sean Knight, those two brave, fortunate survivors who returned to Banner Elk Friday morning without their friends. We know that the remainder of their lives will not be lived in vain, and we pray for their peace as each new day unfolds before them.

Banner Elk, a rather small, close-knit community of probably less than a thousand residents, remains stunned today. Their grief is real . . . their heroes, those who have risked their lives to save others, are now four less in number. But I know those people . . . they will find strength from within, and from each other. They will hang on to their faith, their memories and to each other through this time of grief and acceptance. Banner Elk, blessings upon you.

(Recipes return next week.)

 

 

Don’t forget your copy of “Lovin’ Spoonful . . . Cooking With Family and Friends,” a compilation of nearly 400 mouth-watering recipes by Sherrie Norris. It is available at all locations of High Country Media – Boone, Banner Elk, West Jefferson, and at The Avery Journal in Newland, all Boone Drugs, Black Bear Books, Trailway Laundry, Wilcox Emporium,( top level, booth 312-W,) and beginning June 15 at Mast Store locations.