TWA flight 800

[Aliceacc]

Today is the 12th anniversary of the night that Flight 800 went down over Eastern Long Island, enroute to Paris.

One of my students was on that flight, along with her mom. The trip was her graduation present; she had graduated from high school about 3 weeks before. Her dad had flight benefits since he worked for TWA; they flew standby and some of her friends didn't know she had been on the flight until they got the phone calls from friends. Dad had planned to meet them in Paris after a day or two.

The AP at my school eventually identified Dierde's school ring by it's inscription; that's how they were able to ID her. Her mom was ID'ed a few days later and they had a joint funeral, the day that the bombs went off at the Atlanta Olympics.

I always think of Deirdre on the anniversary. She was a quiet kid, but a good soccer player. I'm always thankful that she was pretty bad at math. She came to extra help a lot in her soccer uniform before practice; it was through those extra help sessions that I reallly got to know her, since she rarely volunteered in class.

Shortly after the crash, it became apparent that her dad was in the early stages of Alzheimer's. Perhaps it was a blessing of sorts, since he lost his entire family that evening.

I'm not sure why I'm posting all this, other than to keep Deirdre's memory alive. She would have been 30 now, probably married with kids.

 

[Mayl]

My MIL worked that crash.

She is a Suffolk Co EMS Dispatcher and was in the command van for the long haul of that tragedy.

She is about to retire this month and talks about it once in awhile. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone touched by this horrible accident.

 

[polineedyan]

Thank you for sharing. I always remember that flight, because we had friends who were in high school, going on their trip that weekend. They had been very shaken because, either they missed that flight, or were rescheduled to another flight. It was by chance that they were not there. Not quite the same as actually losing someone on that flight, so your story touched me. Thanks again.

 

[Disneyland1084]

I was in France when that tradegy happened. The scary thing is I was almost going to fly TWA, but got a better deal with Air France.

 

[DawnCt1]

Thank you for posting that. We all need to remember. Those passengers had family, friends, acquaintances. It wasn't "just a plane".

 

[Hedy]

 

[ead79]

I too knew people who died in the TWA 800 crash.

A classmate of mine from high school and his father were both killed. The family was going to vacation in Paris, and the mother was a retired TWA flight attendant. She and their other 2 children flew ahead of Ashton and his dad. She wanted Ashton and his dad to get to spend some quality time together with the siblings not around. So they made it to Paris on an earlier flight, and then Ashton and his dad were killed on flight 800. He was only 16.

I remember watching the coverage of the crash on TV and being positively transfixed by it. This was of course before we knew that anyone we knew had been killed. Then the next day they were showing the names of the known victims on TV, and my best friend called me to tell me that Ashton and his dad Lamar had been killed. Though we weren't close friends, it was like a punch in the gut. My prayers remain with the families of the victims.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Thank you for posting this. We lost two family friends on that flight, it's the first funeral I remember attending. I think this is part of the reason I am terrified to fly.

Brenna Siebert was our veterinarian, I had seen her not the month before. I remember because we had our psycho cat in who does not liked to be touched. Brenna held her while one of the other vets worked, and she acted lik eit was no big deal to have a cat trying to climb her like a tree. She was smiling and talking and chatting like there was no other place she would rather be. That was just the kind of person she was.

I never met her twin sister Crisha, but Crisha did scenery pieces for the children's acting company I was in. They still use many of the pieces Crisha made, and whenever they do there is always a little blurb in the program. The sisters were travelling with their cousin. They saved up their entire lives to go to Paris, I hope that wherever they are they finally got the trip they dreamed of.

 

[Deb in IA]

Today is the 12th anniversary of the night that Flight 800 went down over Eastern Long Island, enroute to Paris.

One of my students was on that flight, along with her mom. The trip was her graduation present; she had graduated from high school about 3 weeks before. Her dad had flight benefits since he worked for TWA; they flew standby and some of her friends didn't know she had been on the flight until they got the phone calls from friends. Dad had planned to meet them in Paris after a day or two.

The AP at my school eventually identified Dierde's school ring by it's inscription; that's how they were able to ID her. Her mom was ID'ed a few days later and they had a joint funeral, the day that the bombs went off at the Atlanta Olympics.

I always think of Deirdre on the anniversary. She was a quiet kid, but a good soccer player. I'm always thankful that she was pretty bad at math. She came to extra help a lot in her soccer uniform before practice; it was through those extra help sessions that I reallly got to know her, since she rarely volunteered in class.

Shortly after the crash, it became apparent that he was in the early stages of Alzheimer's. Perhaps it was a blessing of sorts, since he lost his entire family that evening.

I'm not sure why I'm posting all this, other than to keep Deirdre's memory alive. She would have been 30 now, probably married with kids.

Your post was beautiful, heartfelt, and eloquent. It brought a tear to my eye.

Rest in peace, all who were aboard TWA Flight 800 . . .

 

[PaulaSue]

 

[luvmarypoppins]

My heart goes out to all those affected today on the anniversary of this tragedy. My neighbor is a SCPD and he was one of the lst responders. He had to do alot of work and he still does not like to talk about it. His brother told me it still has really affected him to this day. Dh boss lived right by the staging area and he had to see the aftermath of this for months, so tragic. Prayers for peace for all those touched by this.

 

[sha_lyn]

Thank you for posting that. We all need to remember. Those passengers had family, friends, acquaintances. It wasn't "just a plane".

Well said.
It is so easy to be disconnected from such events. to know but not really think about the human suffering. Those who are left behind will never forget.

Thank you to the OP for reminding the rest of us.

 

[WonderfulDreamer2]

Thank you for posting that. We all need to remember. Those passengers had family, friends, acquaintances. It wasn't "just a plane".

I couldn't have said it better. I remember that so vividly. Long after the crash, we met a friend whose son died in that crash. Your story brought tears to my eyes. These are the things we can never forget.

 

[Camster0307]

A friend's sister was on that flight. She worked for an advertising company in NYC and was travelling with co-workers to meet clients in Paris. The poor thing was terrified of flying and her doctor had to prescribe an anti-anxiety med to keep her calm for the flight. I can't even imagine.

 

[N&B'smom]

I remember watching it on TV and feeling so full of sorrow. I just remember crying a lot and feeling so sad for all of those involved.

Shelby

 

[MoniqueU]

I had just gotten back from a flight to paris on TWA a couple weeks before. I was with my 2 young sons at home that night and the neighborhood brats kept ding dong ditching my house. All I wanted to do was watch the coverage so I finally chased the kids down and drug them to the house they were at and read the parents the riot act. I just remember being very very sad and that it was MSNBC's first or second night on the air and Brian Williams was on doing the coverage. My husband and I were just talking about this this morning and we still don't buy the official cause of the crash.
My heart goes out to the family's of that crash and everyone that knew them.

 

[minniebeth]

It's hard to believe it was that many years ago already. It seems like not too long ago. I will always remember watching about it. Our hearts and prayers go out to all who hold their friends and loved ones in their hearts and memories.