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A Farewell to Our Hero
Part IV
Welcome
back Nharnet readers. On part three, I provided you with a short
account about the religious services, the organizational presentation of
Seyoum’s life history as well words from his comrades as well from a
family representative including a song. I now will try to bring a short
account of how the trip to the cemetery was and final stage of our good
bye to an Eritrean hero and pride who happened to be the chairman of
ELF-RC.
 
Once the
service at the church was over, it was time for the procession to begin
the trip to the cemetery, and so the attendees started gathering at the
street outside. The police brought around the buses.
  
Those who
drove started their cars. Family members followed the car carrying the
coffin. Police escort were every where, at the beginning, middle and
the end of the procession in cars and motor cycles. The street was not
simply given the right of way; but were completely blocked. The cars
on the procession line are the only ones one sees on the street. It was
kind of too difficult to take a picture of the procession as it was too
long. I have done the best I could trying to show part of the cars and
part that include the buses on the pictures that you probably have seen.
  
Here is our
hero’s body traveling all the way from the horn to Vilaardingen and then
a procession Dutch Eritrean style to the cemetery for a burial. Here is
a city playing a wonderful surrogate city to him and a wonderful host
for those who arrived there from all over the world to pay their respect
and say their good bye. How ironic and an imaginable, for Seyoum to
turn his back and fly away from his beloved city of Asmara, where he
grew up. How unfortunate for every one that, Seyoum’s procession did
not pass by the high school where he started the fire of liberation to
burn wildly in the heart of Asmara. As I watched the long line of the
cars behind me, I could not stop thinking that this should have been on
the streets of the capital city for which he dedicated his life.
Besides the
disappointment that this elegant and respectful farewell was not held in
the capital city of Seyoum’s home town, the long line, the state like
arrangement afforded by the city administration, the number of Eritreans
present, and the heart felt bereaving I observed made me proud and
brought satisfaction in its own way. The quite trip gave me a moment to
think that it was possible the departure of our hero can bring every one
together. It seems that people have realized there are not big issues
that should prevent the opposition from working together. I hope this
getting together will have unexpected positive result of uniting the
people for the sake of our people and the promise we made for our fallen
heroes.
  
The
procession made it to the cemetery. The funeral seems to disturb the
quiet beautiful green cemetery area. The snow was falling intensely and
hard as the pictures tell it very well. Buses took their places and
cars were parked in the lot. The police did a wonderful job of managing
both the auto and human traffic. Our hero’s body was carried out of the
car and laid on the grassy lot where the priests had to do their part.
He was then carried to the actual burial site. Emotions were running
high. Every one seemed to finally believe it or accept the fact that
Seyoum the vibrant and tireless will be laid to rest and is departing
for eternity.
  
The
Executive Committee members and other members of the leadership took
over carrying the coffin for the remaining distance to the burial site.
It was a historic moment and it spoke volumes as I see his comrades
Tekle Melekin, Woldeyesus Ammar, Berhane Tesfagabir, Gime Ahmed and the
others carrying him. Now, I realize that I did not take good pictures
of that moment as I must have been deep in the moment hopeful seeing
that his comrades will carry on with the business of the organization
and the people on one hand, and the sad fact that the final hour of
saying good bye had arrived on the other hand. Once they carried him to
the actual burial site, they laid down the flowers and set the coffin
above the grave. The priests did their part and the family members were
deep in pain and crying aloud as this was it, past the final hour and
reaching the final minute.
  
The
highlight of the procession and the funeral ceremony was at this point.
Tekle Melekin, acting chairman of the Executive Committee of ELF-RC
then, struggled to keep the attendees quiet enough for him to say a few
words. This was the moment, a symbol of our hero’s life long dedication
independence of his country and liberty for his people was given to his
eldest daughter Aida. Tekle told her that the whole family should be
proud of the legacy of Seyoum as the rest of us are. He hoped this
symbolic artifact will remind them how well respected her father has
been and should help the family bear the pain. Despite of the most
difficult moment in her life, she was brave enough to demonstrate a
composed posture and to say thank you. I felt the courage, bravery and
strength of her dad and her fighter mother was in her. It was a moment
where every one with a camera was trying to capture. That moment is
imprinted in my mind permanently and I suspect it is true with every one
who witnessed it.
  
Then, it
was the dreadful moment for the coffin to be lowered to the grave. It
was hard to accept, Seyoum the man who slept rarely and sat still once a
while in his whole life was about to be buried. It was just hard to
imagine of leaving him there buried in the ground. The power of nature
showed its might. Death does not care how strong, vibrant and immortal
one seems when alive is dealt the same way with Mother Nature. Seyoum
was not going to be an exception. Nature and the ground did not seem to
understand that Seyoum did not belong there. They did not seem to think
the way every one there was thinking that Seyoum needed some time
longer; that he had a business to finish, a business of the Eritrean
people. Tekle Melekin said a final thank you on behalf of the
organization and the family to every one who attended from near and far.
The coffin was then lowered to the grave and that was the end of the
burial site function. Participants reluctantly started heading back to
their cars and buses. The meeting point was back at the church where
the procession started.
Back at the
church, food and beverage was ready. The place was packed. This was a
chance for people to exchange their salutations and good bye at the same
time. Every one was talking to every one. An attempt to get something
going from the microphone did not succeed. Every one was sad. “Gedifina”,
“tentinina”, “himaq geyru”, “ndelyo neyrna”, “kxenh neyruwo”, “eza hager
Ezia ayhalfelan Eyu”, “Ezi hzbi tekal eyu” were the dominant Tigrinia
phrases even though some felt sad that he could not even see his country
after independence and was buried outside his country of which he was so
proud. The official ceremony ended. Many of the buses that came from
different countries started leaving. Many who drove also started the
long drive in the snow on the slippery roads. Relatives, comrades and
guests from far gathered back at the family residence.
This
concludes my comments on the funeral ceremony of the tireless brave hero
Seyoum. I firmly believe that may mark the end of the activities of
Seyoum as we knew him; but definitely the start of telling his story of
bravery, courage, honesty, conviction, and dedication for his country
and people.
Good Bye
until next time
Glory and
Peace for our Fallen Heroes!!!!
Nharnet
Representatives |
