The municipal airstrip was closed today and no commercial flights moved between 10:00 am and 12:00 noon. That rare observance was in respect of the memory of Luis Rene Tam, whose memorial service was conducted today at the airstrip. The 35-year-old father of four died in a plane crash in the Mountain Pine Ridge area on Friday. And while we don't usually cover funeral, this was no usual funeral, this was a first of its kind event. Here are some highlights.
Jules Vasquez Reporting,
Hundreds gathered under huge tent at the western end of the Municipal Airstrip compound. It was a funeral service, but it was so much more as signaled by the news cameras videotaping the event. A vast cross section of the community attended to pay respects to this disarming 35 year old who, it seems, had made friends with just about everyone. The members of the BDF Airwing stood at attention, and the fraternity of flying men all gathered at the front.
Tam's former boss at Maya Island Air Eugene Zabaneh gave a hint of the singular charm and humor the young man possessed.
Eugene Zabaneh,
"He was always jovial and very accommodating, went out of his way to please people, to serve people."
Tam's cremated remains in a box overlooked by a model of a Maya Island Air caravan, a plane he often flew in the 14 years he worked for the company. And as his wife Jackie his 3 sons and his daughter mother and sisters looked on, Garifuna drums played at the mass of the man called 'Chino,' his wife led the solemn procession and carried the remains from the tent to the Maya Island Air hangar area. Family members followed carrying pictures through the compound.
And while most have their earthly remains taken in a hearse, Tam would have his taken in a plane. His family boarded the plane with the box carrying his cremains for his final flight. Two of his brother pilots handed it to two pilots inside. That plane then carried the ashes into the air and distributed it into the sea. After that one Maya Island Air and two BDF Defenders flew in formation over the airfield, and then in the morning's most symbolic gesture, they flew back in what's known as the missing man formation, leaving a symbolic space for one pilot.
In respect of Tam's wife who is Garifuna, another traditional mass will be held in 9 days.
7NEWS produced for broadcast by News Director Jules Vasquez
Edited and Prepared for the internet by Keith Swift
