[KYHAM] Oath to the Silent Keys.

[K4lid@cedarvalleybbs.com]

In conjunction with our silent key service we will have on 3.960 monday
morning, the oath to the silent key will be read along with the silent
key prayer and poem.  Here is what you will hear and a hardcopy for
those who want to have their own copy of this.  The oath and prayer were
written by John Wallace of Atlanta, Indian Ab9a formerly Wa9ohx.  I
personally thank John for his contribution.  The Indiana Traffic net
honors their members on memorial day who have become silent keys.

                         ODE TO THE SILENT KEY

Silent Key, one of the first words a new amateur becomes acquainted
with.
with the passing of time it has become a word that is unique only to
amateur
radio operators. I don't know when the word was created, but probably in
the
early days of railroading.

When we hear of the passing of a member of our fraternity we are often
filled
with a deep loss and sorrow, other times it is just an unknown call sign
but
we do know the feeling that someone else has, because we have been down
that
road ourselves.

Today as a tribute to our Silent Keys I would like to dedicate this
white
rose, first most beautiful and perfect of all flowers. It has been to
untold
generations an emblem of grace, simplicity, beauty and happiness and
much too
often a rememberance of a family member.

We can not be too often reminded that we are born to die. A fate that
even
our Blessed Redeemer was not exempt. It also reminds us of the mortality
of
the body and I hope a renewed faith in the immortality of the soul.

Every true rose has five petals closely joined together so that all the
mysteries of life are contained within the rose. The five petals also
allude
to the qualities of zeal, harmony, knowledge, asperation and self
discipline
which are the support and guide of our conduct among our fellow
creatures.

      PRAYER
Dear Father of us all, there are days when trials seem to beset us, an
we
struggle to be free from disappointment and daily cares. Help us we pray
to
accept the days work and do it well, give us a song to sing as we work,
and
a hope of thy approval to cheer us along lifes way. So often we forget
that
thy hand is ever near to guide us and in our own feeble strength we
strive
to do the hard way what with thy help would be easy and joyful. We need
thy
guiding hand to do our best, bless us and to thee will we give all the
praise
and glory forever. Amen and Amen