Chaplain offers support two months after deadly AES plant explosion
A local chaplain says grief resources remain available as families face their first holidays without loved ones.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - Two months have passed since 16 people were killed at the Accurate Energetic Systems (AES) plant in Hickman County, and the emotions are still being felt by those connected to the tragedy.
Jim Melrose, who works as a chaplain, has responded to scenes he had never before witnessed.
“That particular situation, it was there one minute and gone the next,” Melrose said.
He said from the day he stepped foot on scene to now, the weight of that day stays with those connected to it.
“No matter how much training, no matter how prepared you think you may be, nobody’s ready for this,” he said.
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“They’re always going to experience those firsts. There will be a first time that they put a Christmas tree up. There will be a first time that they have a family dinner. There will be a first time for everything, and those all bring back memories,” Melrose said.
Melrose said there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for someone facing grief, but there is always someone there to help. That person just needs to ask.
“No matter what happens, there’s always hope. No matter how far down we get, there’s always hope, and there is always somebody that’s willing to walk with you, to help carry you, and to cry with you, if that’s what needs to be done,” he said.
Resources available year-round
Melrose said resources are available such as local clergy if people are faith-based. There’s also 988, which not only a suicide hotline but also a crisis hotline.
As people navigate the holiday season and move forward, he said people also need to be aware that this is not something isolated to this time of year.
“We have tragedy every single day. We have families that struggle every single day. We have people that are hungry, homeless, and their children don’t have the support. And we need to remember this isn’t just a holiday season event, and it’s not just an AES event, that this is an ongoing crisis in our society. And we need to be stepping up every single day, not just during the holidays,” Melrose said.
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