The band members were riding in a Ford Explorer when the driver lost controland crashed into a tractor trailer. The students were on their way back toschool for band practice.
Over 1500 people went to the memorial service. Every seat was filled andpeople stood around the perimeter of the stadium. The service was organized by the ministers in Plymouth, and it included music, prayers and tears.
Pastor Wallace Collins gave the opening remarks at the memorial.
A row of ribbons on a fence, signs of sympathy line the main road. Plymouth is in mourning. On the high school athletic field, Plymouth junior ROTC members practiced presenting the colors Thursday afternoon. They are partof the memorial service honoring the ten children who died last week, allof them former classmates.
The members of the Plymouth High School band were at the service, not toplay, but to mourn the loss of their friends. One of the more movingthings at the memorial service was a poem given to WRAL's Robert Carverfrom one of the band member's parents.The Bandwas written by one of the band members, and some of the last lines read:
This must make us stronger, for we will last longer. They will lookdown upon us with their feet in the sand for they are the gloriousband.
The students gave to the community in life. You can help them to keep giving even though they're gone. Town leaders have set up a scholarshipfund in memory of the ten students. Contributions can be mailed to thePlymouth High School Band Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 827, Plymouth,North Carolina 27962.
A Plymouth High School band student will receive the scholarship. Thestudent will be selected by an academic booster committee.
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