Remembering TWA Flight 800

[ead79]

For some reason, I was just thinking about this tragedy today. A friend of mine from middle school and his father died on this plane crash, leaving my friend's mom, brother, and sister behind. The crash happened just a little over 7 years ago, but in some ways it seems like it wasn't nearly that long ago. We weren't very close friends (more of acquaintances, really), but his death was such a horrible shock, and my grief for his family still makes me sad when I think of them. My friend was Ashton Allen, who was 15 at the time, and his father was Lamar Allen. Here are two things I found on the internet about them:

Lamar and Ashton Allen, Marietta, Ga.
Lamar Allen, 41, and his 16-year-old son, Ashton Allen, both of Marietta, Ga., were on their way to join relatives in Paris. The family was flying standby aboard TWA Airlines. Allen's wife, Ann, along with 13-year-old son, Cameron, and 14-year-old daughter, Amberly, had arrived in Paris hours prior to TWA Flight 800. The family trip was a vacation to escape the Olympics, which began yesterday. Allen ran a business called Lincoln Investments out of his home on Paper Mill Road in a suburban East Cobb County.


This is an article that Anne, Ashton's mom, wrote for a newsletter for the ACCESS group (AirCraft Casualty Emotional Support Services):

Surviving the Holidays

It was November of 1996, and the holidays were upon us, the first Christmas to be spent without Ashton and Lamar, the two members of our family who had loved and celebrated Christmas the most. I dreaded it, and I knew my remaining two children Amberly, 15 and Cameron, 14 did also. My decision was to leave Atlanta and fly with the children to my brother's in Virginia. My brother and his family had a large antebellum home, which they always decorated lavishly with all the Christmas trimmings.

We all agreed it would be unbearable to wake up Christmas morning to a half empty house. Ashton had typically slept under the tree, waking up on the hour to make sure we got up on time (5 A.M. and no later). Lamar would be up making coffee, playing Christmas music with the video camera in hand.

On Christmas morning, Cameron came to the room where I was sleeping with Amberly. "Mom, get up!" I first wanted to bury my head in the pillow and skip the entire day. "Go back to bed, Cameron," I whispered. "But mom, it's Christmas," and I detected a faint glimmer of hope in his voice. With my newfound resolve, I knew it was up to me to put an act on for these children. They were still alive, and Lamar and Ashton would want them to live their lives to the fullest and celebrate living. They would not want them to mourn.

Reflecting on that day, it was hard, yes, but I went through the motions for Amberly and Cameron. When asked later how she felt about that first Christmas, Amberly said she was scared, and I realized that described it perfectly, "scared". We were all scared, but we got through it. Cameron and Amberly both dreamed about their father and brother that night. I believe they came to them to let them know they were okay and to say, "good job; Amberly and Cameron celebrate your lives and live them to the fullest!" What I learned: Change your environment over the holidays if possible, and change your traditions, replacing them with new ones.

Anne Allen, GA, lost her husband Lamar, age 49, and son, Ashton, age 16, on TWA Flight 800, on July 17, 1996.

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In memory of Ashton and Lamar Allen, may God bless your family until you see them again.

 

[JAP]

It was nice of you to remember them. Sometimes we forgot about these tragedies. My thoughts are with your friend's family today.

 

[Minniespal]

Its always nice to remember the people who died needlessly.

 

[4greatboys]

Very sweet of you to post this ead. I think its great. I too think its nice to remember those who we have lost in such horrible accidents.

 

[ead79]

It is good to remember these tragedies--my heart breaks for people who lose someone like this. I think it must be very painful for them every time there is a similar tragedy. For instance, I think it must've been extra hard for them on 9/11 when the planes crashed. It must have brought lots of memories flooding back.

 

[helenabear]

Elisabeth, thank you for this lovely, yet sad thread. Like you, my heart breaks for people who lose loved ones like this

 

[adamak]

Can't believe it's 7 years ago already. I still remember the break in news on NBC. They had Jet Li interview on when they stopped it with the horrible newsclip.