Memorial For Lisa


[Clearwater 5 December 1998]


From: elrond@cgo.wave.ca (Gregg Hagglund)
Newsgroups: alt.religion.scientology
Subject: REPORT: Memorial For Lisa
Date: Mon, 07 Dec 1998 15:07:49 -0500

   As planned in advance I presided over the brief
but moving Memorial Ceremony for Lisa.
This was on Saturday nite at 7 pm.
Members of Lisa'a family were present as
well as about 50 to 70 mourners and
a dozen Television and Print Media reps
recording the moment.

   Thanks to the extremely insensitive and
uncaring actions of Scientology we were unable
to hold the ceremony in front of the Fort Harrison.
Instead, and to much greater effect and (deserved by Lisa)
drama, a different ceremony than years last evolved.

   Family Members, Mourners and Media gathered
in front of the adjacent Christian Church for this
moving tribute to Lisa.

   As stage managed by Jeff it came off without a hitch.
First our Piper, this year a sweet and serious 12 yearold
golden haired girlchild, played Grace for Lisa McPherson.
I spoke then and said : 
"Dear Family, Friends, and Wellwishers:
Welcome to this Memorial Ceremony for Lisa McPherson 
who suffered a tragic personal trial and death at the hands
of those she unfortunatley trusted there in the Fort Harrison
three years ago this day. This will be a non deniminational
service in Lisa's Memory. 
While Lisa was not of my Faith, she gave Faith. 
In life she thought, at least for awhile, she had found a 
place dedicated to Integrity, Honesty, and Compassion.
In the end her Faith was bitterly betrayed by the true hidden
nature of the path she had followed and its ultimate
lack of Compassion and Charity.
We mourn and Remember Lisa here tonite with the
reading of a special poem written by a former
Scientologist, Charlotte Kates. Charlotte has only recently
left Scientology and greatly troubled by the nature of Lisa's
passing she has composed this fitting tribute to Lisa:"

I then read Charlottes touching poem and all present,
especially Del, were visibly moved.

Our young Angelic Piper then played two 
very difficult but beautiful Highland Remembrances.
I explained to those present we would follow the
Wreath Bearer to the back of the Ft Harrison and
there, near the place of Lisa's Trial, the wreath would be
placed and as each of us passed we were to 
symbolically extinguish our candles.

Following this I took the wreath and gave it to 
Nukewaster. She placed it in her lap and began
the long trek of wheeling herself down the sidewalk
beside the Church and opposite FLAG towards
the back cabanas. I followed Nuke with a Maglite
Candle held high. Lisa's family and the mourners
solemnly trailed behind.

   Nuke slowly wheeled herself down and around behind
the Fort Harrison to where Grady Ward had 
set the Wreath Stand against the wall behind
Room 174. (Where Lisa Passed.) The stand
had a beautiful colour shot of Lisa smiling hung on its
lower cross bar and Grady had lit a prayer candle
bearing Lisa's visage and dates and placed this
on the ground before the wreath.

(The media had, of course been backing down the
street ahead of our Wreath Bearer and were at the
stand too, but moved out of our way graciously and
with great sensitivity.)

[Gregg Hagglund with Wreath]
Copyright Tilman Hauserr, used with permission.

At the Stand I took the Wreath from Nuke and put it in place and then stepped just beyond. Nuke was the first to pass and graced Lisa's photo with a kissed hand. I extinguished my Candle. Del and the McPherson family came next, extinguishing there candles and thanking me. They were most gracious and moved. Then the rest of the Friends and Mourners of Lisa passed, one by one. Many lay a flower or bouquet below the wreath. I thanked each one for Lisa, whom I could feel present. I especially touched or hugged all the exScns I knew as they passed. They almost all seemed to be in exsquiste and personal torment. I felt Lisa wanted them to know it was not their fault. When the last mourner had passed I took Lisa's candle from its place and extinguished it as well. Then I addressed the throng one last time: "It is important, I think and I believe Lisa would too, for all here to remember we must Forgive those who took part in Lisa's Trial. Forgive but do not Forget. This is not about Hate or Retribution, but about Change. Retribution is hardly our place, but Change is and with Change we may try to prevent this type of needless tragedy from happening again. Hatred consumes. Forgiveness heals. In Lisa's name I ask you all to try to Forgive. Thank you all for coming this Evening." And it was over, so then I cried. Gregg



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