Vue du port de Old Harry en 2010 |
La première famille de Old Harry qui a pu nourrir la légende |
Vue du port de Old Harry en 2010 |
La première famille de Old Harry qui a pu nourrir la légende |
À titre posthume et pour son geste
héroïque accompli dans des circonstances très périlleuses, le Gouverneur
général du Canada, le décora le 19 août 1988 de l'Étoile du Courage, une des
trois médailles créées en 1972. Sa sœur Elaine reçut la Médaille de Bravoure qu’elle
accepta en toute humilité et en l’honneur de tous ceux qui ont bravé la mer ce
jour-là pour retrouver son frère..
Une
inscription en l'honneur du courage d'Aaron est gravée sur les portes de
l'église St-Peter's-by-the-sea à Old Harry de même qu’une sculpture intitulée « Les
portes de l’infini », réalisée par François Lapierre avec un texte de Madeleine
Saint-Jean. Cette œuvre fut offerte par la famille et les amis d’Aaron; elle
représente un hymne au courage et à
la victoire de la vie sur la mort.
Magdalen Islands: Aaron Clark of Old Harry, Magdalen Islands, has recently been awarded with the Star of Courage, Posthumously, by the Governor general. […] Elaine Clark, also of Old Harry, has been awarded a Medal of Bravery.
Although it was a warm, sunny afternoon at Ad's Cove near Old Harry,
Magdalen Islands, on August 21, 1986, the wind was strong, the waves extremely
high and the undertow unusually heavy, the aftermath of a hurricane which had
passed through the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Several teenagers were diving under
the waves off a point of rock to one side of the beach when Aaron Clark and his
sister Elaine arrived at the scene.
Aware of the dangerous undertow and currents sweeping around the point,
they warned the group to come back to shore. Within minutes one of the girls, caught
by a wave and carried out into the current, began to panic. The other swimers,
experiencing difficulty themselves, were unable to help her. Aaron Clark and
his sister immediately formed a human chain with other people at the beach in order
to reach the struggling victim.
Just as her brother reached the girl, a huge wave swamped the chain and
broke it. Seeing her brother being carried out to sea by the current, and
knowing that he was not a strong swimer, Elaine swam to him and tried to hold him
above the water, but despite her efforts he slipped beneath the waves. All of
the other people involved were able to return safely to shore.
These acts of heroism have been recognized […] on August 19, 1988.
There are three decorations for bravery: The Cross of Valour, the Star
of Courage, and the Medal of Bravery. The decorations were instituted in 1972
and since then 1,203 have been awarded.
Elaine Clark finally decided to accept her medal, with great humility,
in honour of all who participated in the search for Aaron's body in the
prevailing, perilous, climatic conditions
Image : Photo fournie gracieusement par Pauline Clark, sœur d’Aaron.
Références : The First Informer 4th Year no 9, July 15, 1988, p.1
Le Radar, 29 août 1988, p.7
Source photo: Collection Gregory Chapman |
Source: Newport Daily News, Rhode Island du 9 juin 1847 |
Source: Newport Daily News, Rhode Island du 16 juin 1847 |
CLARKE, Henry Allen né en NE le 26 Octobre 1827 |