Burnt Bridges Banquet

Samaritans' annual Burnt Bridges Alumni Celebration honors those who have gone through Samaritans' programs over the years and who continue in their recovery from alcohol and drug addiction.  Each year, alumni from across the country, some with over thirty-five years of sobriety, gather at this event to celebrate recovery and renew old acquaintances. In a moving ceremony after dinner and a speaker, the alumni form a circle around a small bridge which represents their link to a past life of addiction.  And while the Burnt Bridges poem is read, each participant touches the bridge with their candle and watches it burn.  This ceremony touches not only those participating, but also their family, friends and others who have come to the event to join in their celebration. 

Burning of the Bridge

Bridges are built for many purposes, and can symbolize many things.

Some bridges cross troubled waters, delivering the traveler to safe, friendly shores.

Others span the distances between people, connecting each with another’s life, joys, and frustrations.

Some lead in new directions, promising a brighter future on the horizon.

These bridges enrich our lives and we are grateful for them.

But the bridge we burn tonight symbolizes a connection with our past.

A past without the warmth of love, without joy in the morning, without peace in the night.

A past full of dependency, despair, and feelings of hopelessness.

A past we have left behind, but will never forget.

We burn this bridge with serenity and with peace of mind.

We burn this bridge knowing that our bitter yesterdays are over and our tomorrows are full of hope, and love, and freedom.

Tonight we stand humble and grateful to be with the healthy, and to be living full lives.

Our hearts and souls rejoice, and we are thankful.

For tonight, we are free, we are well, we are whole again.