A memorial to Japanese factory workers draws huge crowds. Other families find comfort in community support.
LONGVIEW, Wash. — More than 650 people gathered at Journey Adventist Church on Sunday to celebrate the life of Gilberto “Gilbert” Bernal, one of 11 workers killed in last week’s Nippon Dynawave disaster, as families across Longview continue to mourn and await answers about the cause of the accident.
The crowd at church on Sunday was so large that organizers opened an overflow room for attendees. Friends, family and church leaders spent nearly two hours sharing Bernal’s life story, describing a man who mentored children, helped families through difficult times and made people feel welcome.
“I’ve known him for over 20 years,” Pastor Dan Hughes said. “I know how much he touched me. I know how much he touched our church family. I had no idea how much he touched the entire community.”
Speakers recalled Bernal’s willingness to serve others, such as leading children in physical education. Hughes said Bernal often volunteered his time to help maintain the church, including changing lights around the church.
Bernal, 52, was one of the workers killed Tuesday when a large chemical tank exploded at the Japan Dynawave paper mill in Longview. The disaster has become one of the deadliest industrial events in modern Washington state history.
The celebration of life was one of several gatherings held in the days after the disaster, as the community gathered around the affected families. Longview residents held prayer services, vigils, fundraisers and memorials while rescuers worked to find and identify the victims.
The family of another victim, 51-year-old John Forsberg, issued a statement Sunday thanking the Longview and Cowlitz County communities for their support.
“We would like to thank the communities of Longview and Cowlitz County for the incredible support they have provided to our family during this extremely difficult time,” the family said. “The kindness, prayers, messages, financial support and encouragement from so many people means the world to us.”
Forsberg’s family said their focus remains on supporting his children, Zach and Margot, and helping them through the sudden loss of their father.
“As we continue to respond to this tragedy, we ask that everyone respects privacy as we focus on helping Zach and Margot cope with the sudden loss of their father,” the statement said.
The family added that they are closely following the ongoing investigation and, like many in the community, hope to learn more about what caused the disaster.
“Our thoughts are also with other families who have lost loved ones and those who have been injured, displaced or impacted by this incident,” the statement said.
Many speakers at Bernal’s memorial service expressed similar sentiments, emphasizing the close ties between Longview mill workers, church and family.
“I think that’s the strength he found within himself, within God,” Hughes said.
