World Central Kitchen leader Jose Andres in tears remembering Aussie aid worker Zomi Frankcom
Chef Jose Andres made a touching tribute at a memorial service for Australian Zomi Frankcom and fellow World Central Kitchen aid workers killed in Gaza. Watch video.
There were emotional scenes at a memorial service held for World Central Kitchen aid workers killed while delivering food to Gaza, including Australian woman Zomi Frankcom.
Billed as a World Central Kitchen Celebration of Life Service, the ceremony at Washington National Cathedral honoured seven international aid workers from the US based charity who were killed in an Israeli strike when their convoy left a warehouse in Gaza on April 2.
The service, which saw hundreds attend on Thursday, was also livestreamed and was preceded by an online slideshow celebrating the lives of each aid worker.
The event featured a choral choir, world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and was majestically set in America’s famed episcopal church with its stained glass rose wheel window and soaring Gothic archways and columns.
While taking place in a Christian setting it was a multi-faith event, and featured religious leaders including a senior rabbi and an Imam who read from the Qu’uran.
The Australian flag was displayed in the pulpit along with those of the other nationalities killed.
The service was solemn and emotional as organ music played and the congregation gathered in the nave as the procession carrying a large crucifix and two candles, symbols of Christ Light of the World, filed up the centre aisle.
Reverend Randolph Marshall Holerith welcomed the crowd and asked them to hold in tension “love and loss”, bow their heads in prayer and asked God to “give us light” when “war darkens this world.”
The Right Reverend Marianne Edgar Budde, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Washington gave a sermon about the “uncertainty of life on earth” and “how fleeting life is”.
Four speakers each read stanzas from “When Great Trees Fall” by Maya Angelou and a number of hymns were sung. But the most emotional part of the service came when each aid workers was named and remembered individually, their stories and backgrounds shared with the congregation.
Bishop Budde led remembrances of the aid workers by name and said “we honour them for their service and dedication to change the world for the better”.
Seven verses of prayer were read for the seven killed and the congregants was invited to repeat the refrain “we remember them” at the end of each verse.
“As long as we live they too shall live,” said the Bishop.
But the emotional heart of the proceedings were embodied by WCK Founder, chef Jose Andres, who took to the pulpit to remember each of the aid workers individually.
Andres named all the workers and read out tributes to each one of them, highlighting their characters and achievements.
“The seven souls we mourn today were there so the hungry could eat,” he said.
“They risked everything to feed people.
“In the worst moments, the best of humanity show up … they were the best of humanity. Their example should inspire us to do better, to be better.”
But when Andres came to Zomi Frankcom, his voice cracked and he became tearful and visibly distraught.
“Our beloved Zomi,” said the celebrity chef.
“She was at the very heart of World Central Kitchen. She was the living, breathing, smiling heart of everything we did.”
Andres recounted how Frankcom joined WCK six years ago after the volcano eruption in Guatemala.
“It always felt from the start that she embodied our spirit and purpose,” he said choking back tears.
“She was the spirit. She gave joy to others, even more than she gave food. Dancing, singing, playing with children as well as her teammates. Her compassion and curiosity were really infectious. She was like a sister to me, and I know to many others.
“She travelled the world … nourishing the souls of the many she helped. And she helped so, so many people,” he said, voice finally cracking.
Sniffing back tears and sighing heavily with grief, Andres noted that 200 humanitarian aid workers have been killed in Gaza and said “each of these people leave behind loved ones who will always have them in their hearts.
“The light will always shine through.”
“Today we grieve and suffer alongside the families of our seven beloved heroes and the whole World Central Kitchen family.”
He asked the WCK workers present at the memorial to stand up as the crowd applauded them. “You are our light in the darkness,” said Andres.
But in his speech he also demanded justice for those killed.
“There is no excuse for these killings, none,” he said. “The official explanation is not good enough and we still demand an investigation.”
To those who have questioned why WCK was in Gaza in the front lines he answered, “We ask ourselves the same question day and night. We are all consumed with anger, regret and sorrow.”
He said those under fire need others to show up so “they are not alone in the darkness.”
“Food is a universal human right. Feeding each other, cooking and eating together is what makes us human.”
“A plate of food is a plate of hope, a message that someone somewhere cares for you.”
“Build longer tables, not higher walls.”
After Andres spoke, classical composer Yo-Yo Ma gave a solo performance on his cello, the music providing all time to reflect on Andres’ weighty words.
At the end of the service Andres could be seen in the congregation, receiving consolation and hugs from other congregants.
The killings of the humanitarian aid workers drew global condemnation, including from US President Joe Biden.
The Israeli military fired two officers over what it claimed was a “tragic mistake” and Netanyahu sent envoys to new truce talks in Cairo.
Hundreds of people watched online as the service streamed live at 1:00am AEST for which the chat was disabled.
The service concluded with sermons and hymns delivering messages of peace, faith, and eternal life - and a prayer for the people of Israel and Gaza and all people “embroiled in conflict.”
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Originally published as World Central Kitchen leader Jose Andres in tears remembering Aussie aid worker Zomi Frankcom
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