{"id":425,"date":"2014-01-08T23:02:50","date_gmt":"2014-01-09T08:02:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/koponenalaska.wordpress.com\/?page_id=425"},"modified":"2014-01-08T23:02:50","modified_gmt":"2014-01-09T08:02:50","slug":"niilos-memorial-gathering","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/koponenalaska.org\/?page_id=425","title":{"rendered":"Niilo’s Memorial Gathering"},"content":{"rendered":"

Niilo’s memorial was Sun. Jan. 5, 2014 at Pioneer Park Civic Center in Fairbanks. About 250 people were in attendance.<\/p>\n

You can download the slideshow of photos<\/a> from Niilo’s life that preceded the program accompanied by a music selection<\/a> from-or-representative of Niilo’s world.<\/p>\n

You can also download the printed program<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Photos from the post-program memorial gathering<\/a><\/p>\n

A DVD video of the memorial can be made available by contacting gary@chena.org<\/p>\n

\n

\"Peace<\/a>
\nThe program opened with the Fairbanks Peace Choir singing Dona Nobis Pacem and Finlandia\/This is My Song<\/p>\n

The program was MC’d by Brian Rogers, with the following speakers<\/p>\n

Karjala Koponen, Niilo’s oldest son, on Niilo’s time in New York and coming up to Alaska<\/a> and experiences with Niilo as his father<\/p>\n

Karen Parr spoke on Niilo’s efforts to improve education<\/a><\/p>\n

Dick Farris, on Niilo’s many grassroots activities, had no prepared written remarks, but later posted this<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Sam Cotten on Niilo’s Legislative work<\/a><\/p>\n

Charley Basham spoke on Niilo’s Quaker activities<\/a><\/p>\n

Heather Koponen, Niilo’s youngest daughter, read several poems of Niilo’s<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Chena<\/a>
Chena Koponen with speakers (l. to r.) Karen, Dick, Sam, and Brian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Karjala\"<\/a>
Karjala<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Karen<\/a>
Karen Parr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Sam<\/a>
Sam Cotten<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Heather\"<\/a>
Heather, with background l. to r. Charley Basham, Dick Farris, Sam Cotten, Karjala<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Brian Rogers then had a few words to say.<\/p>\n

24 people then spoke from the floor about the impact that Niilo had on their lives.<\/p>\n

We have also received some testimonials from others who weren’t able to speak.<\/p>\n

  • Carl Hild on Niilo<\/a>.<\/li>\n

    Adjourning to the exhibit hall for viewing the walls of exhibits and light refreshments and, most importantly great conversations.
    \n

    \"Norton<\/a>
    Norton Sound trains 1903<\/figcaption><\/figure>
    \nSome of the exhibits are available electronically below.<\/p>\n