In just a few minutes the water that flows over the twisted spires of the Memorial Fountain will slowly trickle to a halt. And as art imitates life, the event will give pause to those who understand that life is truly a miraculous experience enjoyed but for a fleeting moment. And as the trees of Autumn fill the campus, painted in its glorious splendor by the brushes of nature, deep within our souls lie the innate awareness that a dormant and lifeless Winter is quickly approaching. Listen carefully as the water’s stream comes to an end, because it is in the pursuing silence that the voices of those we honor speak.
This day will always be special for those who are a part of the Marshall family. It is not only a day of mourning and remembrance of the lives that were so abruptly ended…but it is also a celebration of the flow of life. Although we grieve the finality of the youth interrupted on that cold, dark, November night in 1970, we need to rejoice in the spirit that arose from the tragedy. A spirit that still permeates the souls of those who call Marshall home.
As the water goes still, listen carefully for the voices. They have been speaking to us all along. They spoke to us when the decision was made to continue their game. Their voices sang as the fans exalted in the glory of our win over Xavier as if to say we’re still among you. Their voices were heard as the ball sailed through the uprights marking Marshall’s climb from the remnants of tragedy to the height of national champs.
So as we stop momentarily to remember those who died, it is fitting to lament their untimely departure, but it is equally fitting to celebrate what they continue to give.