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Your comments: 9/11/02 On this day
of National Remembrance, 9/11/02, I reflect back to 7/19/89 and the crash
of Flight 232. On that day, I lost my brother Richard Sudlow, age
37. Due to some unfortunate circumstances following his
10/5/01.....Hard to imagine it's been 12 years since the crash. I've never looked for a #232 web site and was very surprised to find this one. My name is Garry Priest, Thornton, CO. - survivor seat 15G. I would like to say a heartfelt "Thank You" to all the responding personnel, the 185th ANG TFG, my fellow passengers (ALL of you), all the wonderful people of Sioux City and our courageous flight crew. July 19, 1989 has left an unmistakable mark on all of our lives. To the families and friends who lost a loved one -- my heart and prayers are with you every day. Somewhere in time, I hope you find the peace you seek. In Colorado, we established a support group roughly 3 months after the crash. To all those who were ever involved, I hope all is well and would love to hear from you. My e-mail is Garry326@aol.com. Anyone involved, please feel free to contact me. In closing, may God bless
the 112 and their families and friends. I think of you often and
find strength in my remembrance of you. May God also bless the victims
and the families involved with the terrible events which took place September
11, 2001.....Garry Priest - 15G
9/13/01......With the recent tragedies in New York and Washington, eleven years of missing my father has hit me all over again, all at once. I wish they wouldn't show footage of the final crashes quite so often. If anyone remembers my father, Jerry Kennedy, please write to me at kennedyc@purdue.edu .......Christina Kennedy 9/12/01.......In the wake of the New York and Washington tragedies I cannot help but remember flight 232. Al Haines and my Uncle are great friends so several years ago I had the honor of meeting and vacation with Al . Al travels around the country giving a presentation about how they banded together and made it through. I have seen pictures that are not published on the internet and how anyone could have survived that crash is beyond me. Al is a great man, and a wonderful pilot. After talking to Al I know he truly did all he could for that flight, along with the others involved. He is and outstanding person and I am sure a day does not go by that he does not think of that fateful day.........Kari 9/10/01......I am a pastor in Southern Iowa. At the time of the crash I was managing a motel in Storm Lake, Ia which is close to where the engine let go. I remember one of my friends was an EMT and was part of the emergency team arriving at the airport just before the crash. Investigators stayed at our motel looking for parts of the jet in the days after the crash so for several days, the crash was a very big part of my life. I just this morning attended an assembly at Central Decatur High School in Leon, Ia and met Jerry Schemmel. He talked about his experience with the crash. It was very inspiring. To all who survived, you
continue to be in my thoughts even after all these years. Seeing
Jerry
stirred it all up again. God Bless you all..........Pat.........ibcbunch@grm.net
(Independent_Bible_Church)
8/25/01.....To my friend John Karp....Last weekend I ran into your brother, after not seeing him for twenty five years, and he told me that you died ten years ago on Flight 232. I completely lost track of you since you, me and your brother took that great trip across the western states when we were teenagers. Man, that was fun time, a real aspiring hipster road trip scene. In the intervening years, I have thought about it quite a bit and have always wondered what became of you two. I have every confidence that you're a very cool scene now.....Peace, John 8/15/01.....The world lost at least two beautiful human beings when Suzanne Marsh and her mother, Gwynneth Carew, perished in the crash that day. Miraculously, and fortunately, Suzy's daughter Lauren survived, and she is now an 18-year old spitting image of her late mother. The recent Dateline documentary brought back some sad memories. I met Suzy when we were both freshman in high school, and she made me feel comfortable and confident immediately. I remained friends with her until the day she died and counted her husband among my few closest friends. I wish heaven were included somewhere in cyberspace so I could route this message through Suzy and tell her how much she was loved and missed. Her death has had a profound and enduring effect on everybody who knew her. You are gone Suzy, but your memory will enlighten hearts and souls for generations to come....... With love, Jack Caswell. 8/13/01.......I am looking for my childhood friend, Helen Young, from Starkville, MS. Ithink of her every time I see another report on this terrible accident and have always wanted to tell her how thankful I am that she survived. I know very well how tragedy can completely change your life, my daughter survived Leukemia. I pray that she has been able to move on with her life. Love and best wishes to Helen,...................Allison Shelton Turri 6/13/01......To Mom and Gram.............There comes a time in everyone's life, no matter how rich or poor that they wish never happened. A day that has changed their lives forever. A day that makes them take a step back and realize how precious life really is. A day which shows no mercy and a day that makes the heart mourn and the tears flow. A day to which we realize we have no control. A day which brings people together yet takes them so far apart. A day that has so much power it can make a person want to strive on in life. A day which develops a special meaning, and a special purpose. A day that knows it will always be remembered. A day which will let people loose sleep. A day that makes us wonder why. That day- July 19 1989...................... 5/24/01......God Bless Susan Marsh, we all miss your beautiful smile and kind words. From all your friends in Jamestown RI. 1/18/01.......My name is Mike Gyetvay and I lost two very good friends on that dreaded day in July '89, Mike and Judy Zunic. Both Mike and Judy were very special to all. As a former football teammate of Mike's at Syracuse University, many of us ex-Orangemen think of you both quite often. You are remembered in our prayers and are truely missed. 1/7/01 ....... Hello, my name is Sabrina Lee Michaelson. I was the little baby girl on flight number 232. I went to your website hoping to find information about the plane crash I was in. Surprisingly I found out that my brother had written bout it and I never knew. I do not remember anything of it but feel very lucky to have survived it. And that my whole family survived it makes me feel very very lucky. To think that if it wasn't for Jerry I wouldn't be alive today. My family and I still do stay in touch with Jerry and his family to this day but once again I would like to thank him for saving my life. Thank you. Now i am 12 years old in the 7th grade..................Sabrina Michaelson 11/9/00 ...... Flight 232 is a wound that will never heal, a pain that will never leave me. It has been 11 years since the event and I still feel it. Everyday I hurt. I came out of the crash labeled a hero but I really wasn't. The real heroes are the families of those who perished in the crash. Please know that I think about you all the time. I pray for you. I have it easy compared to what you are going through. If any family members would ever like to contact me, I'm at jschemmel@aol.com. I'd be happy to visit with you. God bless you and thanks for setting up this website...........Jerry Schemmel, survivor, flight 232, seat 23G. Denny Nielsen, Colonel USAF 7/25/00....... In memory of MILDRED T KOEHLER: Eleven years have passed and not a day goes by that I do not think of my mother who was killed on this flight along with many others. My grief does not go away even after all these years. She died way before her time and has missed many wonderful things in the life of her family. May all the others who lost someone near and dear remember them always..............Carol Laferriere, Texas 7/10/00 .......I feel for all of you who have lost family I keep you all in my prayers day and night. Be God be with your loved ones......... H Dekanovic 7/8/00 ........ 10 years or 100 years, The day is the same. I will remember the time & place as if it is today. Each year I let myself remember a little more, but only that which I wish. With the 19th of July coming up, the date of the month is the worst of my life. I have lost my wife on the 19th of July just to name but one thing. Each year makes it better and I thank God for the time I have been given..........gmbe 6/9/00 ......... I just got finished watching the movie made about that crash. I know its been a while but I would like to say that Sioux City must have an excellent Emergency Management System and God Bless them for helping those folks. It was touching to see through the eyes of those who produced the movie A Thousand Heros how well the awful circumstances were handled............... Deborah Williams My name is Mike Willis. I was a friend of Jay Ramsdell. I was Jim Druckers' (commissioner of the CBA at this time) and Jays' graduate assistant with the CBA in 1984-85. It is now 2 a.m. on Monday morning and I have again waken up by tears of my lost friend. Jay and I became good friends the first time we met in September of 1984. I had just finished my first semester Master Degree work at the United States Sports Academy and was heading up to Phily to start my internship with the CBA. When I arrived in Phily I was to call Jim Drucker. After speaking to Jim he gave me another number to call, it was Jay's. Jay was home and gave me directions to his apartment. I arrived 40 minutes later. The door was open to his apartment and he was sitting with his legs crossed sorting his sporting news magazines in the middle of the floor. I was greeted with the thoughtfulness and friendliness that I would of expected from my brother. There are five years of great times with him that I will always treasure. The Disneyland trip, the Oakland A's vs the Boston Red Socks, our times in the phily night clubs, our trips to Albany our conversations about Fenway. I need to soon talk with Jays' parents, Jim and Jerry Schimmel and maybe someday to the girl who he was to soon marry. Good Night Jay,
Your Friend
Mike
I was about 16 years old when United Flight 232 crashed in Sioux City. I was part of a Boy Scout organization called the Woodbury County Sheriff's Explorers. We helped the Sheriff Department and Sheriff Posse with traffic and crowd control along with learning different aspects of law enforcement. After the crash we were called on to help with security. I helped with guarding the main fusalage. That is an image that is forever burned into my mind. To see the blackened remains of the first class section and clothing and belongings of people scattered throughout the airport grounds. Belongings of people who didn't make it. As I found names in the wreckage I would write them down in my note pad and when I got home look them up in the passenger list that was in the paper. All were listed as deceased or presumed dead. I wished I could have been a part of the anniversary ceremony but my work schedule did not permit it. I am proud of the small part I played in the rescue and aftermath but at times wish I had done more. My heart and prayers go out to the families who lost loved ones in this tragedy but please know that those loved ones are never forgotten by myself and the people of Sioux City. God Bless,
Thomas
Johnston- former Woodbury County Sheriff Explorer, performed security
Friends, I visited the memorial in May, 1999. Sioux land citizens have carefully and thoughtfully designed and contoured the scene along the river bank. I thank them. I am thankful for being here, and it is still unbelievable that all passengers and crew members aren't here today. Regards, Ron Sheldon 19E The crash in Sioux City will always be in my heart. I was 18 and working at the Hy-Vee grocery store by the mall before I left for college that summer, when the news of the crash came to us at the store. We could see the smoke from the crash up in the sky. I'll never forget it. I remember our store offered free groceries and supplies to victims and organizations coming through the store that day and throughout the week. I was glad to have been able to help in such a small way. I left for college with the realization that life is so fragile and truly a gift from God. It is to be lived every day as if it were the last. I still pray for the victims, survivors, families, and all connected to such a tragedy. May they continue to find peace in their hearts so that they too, may live life every day with only joy in their hearts, as if every day were the last. Sincerely,
Angela
L. Johnson (formerly Angela Reeves of Sioux City)
Nine crew members met in Sioux City on July 18th,1999 at the Marina Inn -Capt. Al Haynes had not planned to come as his wife Darlene had undergone serious surgery early in July, and Denny Fitch was unable to attend, as well, since GeneAnn is also very ill. As we gathered for dinner the call came that Darlene had just passed away. Needless to say this was heart wrenching, knowing how very close they had always been. We are hoping to start a foundation in Darlene's name and updates will follow. The morning of the 19th started with a memorial prayer service at Briar Cliff- Sister Nancy Miller(Dir. of Campus Ministry) welcomed us and the opening song was Amazing Grace: Dr. Jack Calareso (Pres.) read scripture, followed by the 23rd Psalm; Rev. Lyle Franson (Asst. Prof.. of Social Work) read the Gospel and gave the sermon; prayers of petition were read by various faculty and college heads followed by the Lord's Prayer, a Benediction by Bishop Daniel Dinardo (Bishop of Sioux City), and we sang On Eagle's Wings to close. There was a short reception with refreshments, and we then proceeded to the memorial along the river. The original ideas considered at the 1st anniversary were scrapped and this memorial truly touches the heart of the event- the path leading to the statue has 8 very large stones each containing a bronze plaque with a rescue worker's words (i.e. the first says "The whole community of Sioux City reached inside itself and found resources it didn't know it had...found that this is who we really are.") The last stone has a large plaque recapping the event. This brings you to the back of the main area which is a semi-circle of white pillars with the statue of Denny Neilsen in the center (those of you who sent for the July 18th copy of the Sioux City Journal can see the pictures on the back page. I also have pictures of each piece and would be happy to send copies-JaniceLohr@aol.com) There was a large press contingent, so Georgeann and I slipped away once pictures were taken and returned to the hotel where there followed a survivor and family members get together, a crew press conference, meetings with emergency responders, hospital personnel (some survivors and crew went to Marian Health Center and St. Luke's Regional Medical Center who had open hospitality rooms, and others went to the airport and the 185th Wing of the Iowa Air Guard) Air Guard members, airport and college personnel, and mental health providers. Chaplain Greg Clapper said the prayer and a moment of silence was observed at 4 PM. The crew was taken to the parade where we rode a flatbed and expressed our love for Siouxland via posters we held throughout our parade ride. Unfortunately a drizzle of
rain kept us from enjoying the ice cream social at the riverside pavilion,
but it didn't deter Siouxlanders. The day ended with a dazzling fireworks
display. There were so many events for one day, but I was left with the
feeling of being bonded through this awesome life experience with my flying
partners, my passengers, and these wonderful, caring people of Sioux City.
There is a mixture of joy and sadness- the grieving will always be there
for those who were lost, the face of a friend and her daughter, a sister
flight attendant.... they are all in my prayers forever, never forgotten.
And for the Siouxlanders who set this magnanimous example of love.... never
to be forgotten. I hope this somehow fills in the day for those who did
not come, but who were with us in spirit!...................Jan Lohr,
Flight Attendant for UA 232
Mary -- That is a very nice thought for you to create that web site for 232 families to communicate. I still feel the pain of that afternoon so many years ago when I thought our family had lost you, Jim and Jimmy. It was a terror that I will never forget -- love Barby (sister of survivor Mary Kahl) 7-19-99 ....... ten years........it seems like yesterday that we got the call our daughter Heather was dead in Sioux City. i hope all who read this message will write and call their Member of Congress and Senators with the following request:....Order faa to deploy safety board recommendations within 18 months of a final crash report. valujet, for example, would not have crashed and killed 110 in 1996 IF faa had ordered a Safety board recommendation in 1993 to install fire detection and fire suppression equipment in cargo holds of passenger planes. you are all in our prayers
and thoughts today........and every day.
****Contact members of US congress at: www.congress.gov July, 1999.....I have that sinking feeling in my heart as we hear of more deaths in airline crashes. The recent crash in Little Rock and the Kennedy/Bessette crash still can bring back that feeling of survivor's guilt. Creating this web site is my small contribution to commemorating the 10th anniversary of our crash -- a means of connecting our hearts as we recall those events and acknowledge our feelings about them. I regret not all passengers of 232 had the chance to survive as my family did. We will remember them in our prayers................Mary Kahl - survivor - seat 11 B.............(wife of survivor Jim Kahl - seat 11 C and mother of survivor Jimmy Kahl - seat 11 A) News reports from the Sioux City Journal newspapers dated July 18-20, 1999, may be of interest to you. "A Special Journal Report - The Crash of Flight 232 10 Years Later" is included in the Sunday edition dated 7-18-99. Contact the Circulation Dept.: 712-293-4325 or Email: circ@siouxcityjournal.com. Cost is $1.50 for each daily paper plus $2.50 for the Sunday edition. Mail orders can be sent to: Circulation Department
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