Parting words

The Town of Quiver Valley was destroyed on February 11, 2011.

3 weeks later, a funeral for the victims was held in a small clearing just outside the quarantine zone, on the south side of the surrounding forest.

Reverend Mathis, former pastor of the town, delivered an able discourse on the occasion and paid an eloquent tribute to the deceased. Miles Stebbins, a prominent supporter of the entire area also made an effective address, eulogizing the character of the many people he had long known and honored. A long procession of citizens turned up from the neighboring towns and cities, mourning those that have passed.

After the burial, a single marble grave remained unmarked, except for a date and a place, for all the souls that have been lost in the tragedy.

One of the attending officials, before the burial, commented: This had already been too long delayed. More than a week has gone since the incident, and it is about time to let the dead lay down to their long deserved rest.

His appeal was answered with contributions, large and small, coming in from around the country. Many of his colleagues, including Jane Brickshaw, sent money, as did many of the Valley’s leading business and professional figures.

The reason that no successful action has been taken to build a proper burial has been cited to be the investigation and forensic analysis of any evidence found, including the deceased. Many supporters hoped and some demanded the release of any bodies found or identified, but authorities deemed them hazardous, and were taken to a government facility for processing, ultimately put to rest at an undisclosed location to prevent grave robbing.

In addition to the gravesite marker, a number of additional tributes have been paid to Quiver Valley:

According to plans, in the following months, the new state highway crossing the vicinity of the town will be named "Quiver Valley Memorial Highway”, with the press release claiming that such action will ensure that Quiver Valley will never be lost, and that whoever passes the once great town will most certainly be aware of it.

The recently formed “Bright Light” association also promises to sponsor an annual Quiver Valley luncheon to help the many unfortunate communities in the area, helping them become more like how Quiver Valley was at its pinnacle.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of any of the victims of this horrible tragedy.

So that is how it ends. Not with a bang, but with a whimper. The memorial was touching, that much is true. But despite all I wrote down in here, there is still a lot even I don't know. Maybe noone does. I justed wanted to have my say, and leave the rest up to whoever reads this. Because, from here on out this is not the story of the people who died in Quiver Valley, this is not my story. This story is everyone else's.