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St. Thomas students and close friends shared prayers and stories of Daniel Zamlen during a memorial prayer service held in the St. John Vianney Seminary chapel Thursday evening. The service was held on what would have been Zamlen’s 20th birthday to commemorate the one-year anniversary of his death.
Zamlen was first reported missing on April 5, 2009. After a 26-day search, a rescue team recovered his body in the Mississippi River.
Sophomore Greg Scharine, who organized the memorial prayer service and considered Zamlen a close friend, reflected on the meaning of the memorial service.
“I can’t believe it’s been a year ago,” Scharine said. “I thought about where I was April 6th, that morning, down by the river. It’s almost eerie how quickly time went and how different things are now. It was really helpful, very therapeutic for me to go through this planning (of the service), to think about Dan and remember Dan. This time last year I wasn’t in a place where I wanted to be. But now I think I’ve come to grips with it, and I’m trying to honor Dan by living the way I think he would.”
Rev. William Baer presided over the service and commented on the incredible strength and love shown by Zamlen’s family and friends. Baer offered consoling words of encouragement.
“As long as we remember, he will continue to live,” he said.
The St. Thomas choir performed an a-cappella rendition of “Somewhere,” a song originally featured in the Broadway musical West Side Story. Two choir members also performed a rendition of “The Prayer.” It was this song that especially touched sophomore Shannon Calhoun.
“When this all happened, that song kept things going for me,” she said. “I had no idea that song would be played, and hearing it just hit home.”
Several of Zamlen’s close friends and acquaintances shared stories and favorite memories, including how Zamlen was always the first to help out a friend, his passion for history, and his uplifting smile.
Students said they were pleased with the memorial service.
“I thought it was really pretty,” Calhoun said. “I was definitely happy I came. Dan and I came here a lot last year, to the SJV chapel, so having it here was just appropriate.”
Sophmore Kevin Klein agreed that the performances and readings were a good fit.
“The music was really good; it was nice that we got the choir to come out,” he said. “The passages from the Bible were also very fitting … It was really moving and a very good service. I just liked to hear stories about him because I didn’t really know him, and getting to know him more as a person, even though I never really had the opportunity, was nice.”
In the end, Scharine reflected Baer’s words and stressed the importance of never forgetting their friend.
“Everyone I talked to tonight, they’re thinking about Dan today, they’re praying for Dan today, and that’s really all that matters,” he said. “The best thing we can do is remember and keep his family in our prayers.”
Rebecca Omastiak can be reached at omas5009@stthomas.edu.