Swift Current Tragedy: 20 Years later

[Gizmo 21]

Here's a great read...

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/sto...ge=swiftcurrent

A moment of silence... and nothing more

You're sure they'll do something before they stand for the national anthem. But with the fans on their feet and with five skaters from the Swift Current Broncos and five from the Medicine Hat Tigers on their respective blue lines, the announcer reads from a script over the public address system.

" … Twenty years ago today …"

Before most of the players and many of the fans were born.

" … four players lost their lives … "

Just a few lines to get through. The names. The bare minimum of details. And then the last line.

" … please stand and honor these players with a moment of silence."

Those who had bought tickets rise from their seats. Earmuffs and cowboy hats are doffed. The players look down at their skates, the others at their boots. A hush falls over the arena, the only sound the wooden roof creaking.

Finally, after 30 seconds, the announcer says: "Thank you. Please remain standing for the playing of 'O Canada.'"

And that's it, a moment of silence and nothing more. If you'd never been in Western Canada's Swift Current before, if you didn't know the back story, you might mistake it for tasteful understatement. But if you put your ear to the door, you'd know this is the minimum interruption in a culture of denial in a town where the only thing tougher than looking through a scrapbook might be looking in a mirror.

(Lots more...)

[BlueMonk 102]

I read it yesterday. It's extremely well written, and to think it's from ESPN is amazing. Definitely worthwhile reading.