On this, the first anniversary of the loss of the crew of Rescue 116, I thought I might include again lines I wrote last year. May those who lost their lives that night, rest in the peace they so surely brought to others during the course of their work. We remember their families at this time and pray they have found some solace in knowing their loved ones died doing the work they wanted to do – work that needed to be done.
IN MEMORY OF RESCUE 116
On Monday last I heard your sound
you in sky and me on ground,
on the phone, chatting with a friend
wondered where your journey’s end?
Someone somewhere was in need
prayed you’d reach them with due speed
and from the sky you’d hover low
to help the stricken ones below
The sound was loud as you crossed Mayo
I prayed God’s blessing as you’d go
a fleeting wish that you’d be blest
and to ones troubled you’d bring rest
An hour later I went to bed
your journey then had left my head
a few hours later the story broke
as to a new day I awoke
Helicopter missing near Black Sod;
Could it be them? I asked my God
is that the one that passed last night
to ease another’s troubled plight?
And yes it was or so it seems
in a world shattered by broken dreams
In lives laid down, you gave your all
in answer to another’s call
Your photos now before our gaze
friends and family offer tear-filled praise
and the loss they feel is ours too
for as a nation we mourn you
How could you as crew have known
the destiny to which you’d flown
but know this now and for evermore
your memories in our hearts we store
To Dara, Paul, Ciarán and Mark
who flew that night into the dark
know this day, you gave your best
in God’s hands we leave the rest.
