120 people showed up to St. Michaels Anglican church yesterday (Sunday) to pay tribute to the victims of flight 752 in Tehran.
The memorial featured singing and storytelling and was organized not only as a service but as a way for those in the community to find comfort in the presence of others.
Attendees were asked to bring a rose and put the petals around a table of candles to remember those who died in the crash.
“Prince George really made us part of its own, and really made sure we belong here. Everybody from different backgrounds showed up,” said Youshita Gashtil, one of the organizers.
After organizing the vigil, seeing it all come together brought a mix of emotions for Gashtil.
“I felt proud. I felt proud of being part of Prince George, and being Canadian, and being Persian. I really felt proud, felt supported, felt at home, with family.”
She explained it was better than she could have hoped.
“We all thought, we never expected so many people to come and support us. It was absolutely beautiful. We had the Mayor show up, We had MLA Shirley Bond coming and showing up. Anyone who could come, they made it their purpose to come.”
Gashtil said she hopes people in attendance left feeling peaceful and supported.