MONTOURSVILLE -- July 17 is an infamous anniversary in central Pennsylvania.
Residents of the Lycoming County community of Montoursville came face to face with their worst nightmare 17 years ago. On that night, 16 high school students and five adult chaperones were among the 230 people killed when TWA flight 800 exploded over Long Island, New York on its way to Paris.
On Wednesday in Montoursville, many people were doing something positive to remember the victims of flight 800.
"It was something that you never forget. It's such a small town. Everybody just came together as they still do today," said Jen Gluck.
The people of Montoursville did not forget. There is a room of keepsakes at the historical society and a memorial statue outside the high school.
Now, there is something else.
People from Montoursville and beyond are remembering the Montoursville 21 by doing 21 random acts of kindness. What started out as an idea between two friends on Facebook quickly grew and now organizers say more than 500 people are doing random acts of kindness.
"I purchased $21 to put towards the next person's order for their flowers they pick up also."
Jen Gluck's generosity put a smile on Brette Yaw's face.
"All you have to pay on it is $1.26. Are you serious? That is awesome!"
Yaw "paid it forward" and paid $21 towards the next customer's order at Nevill's Flowers in Montoursville.
"My niece, my nephew, my mom knows, my kids. I'm going to be able to pass it on so they know and hopefully this continues throughout the years and hopefully we get to remember them every single year," Yaw said.
Yaw and her family gave their carnations to people in Montoursville in memory of the 21 lives lost.
The gold glitter carnations were designed by Rosemary Holmes at Nevill's Flower Shop. Gold and blue are Montoursville Area High School's colors. She sold about 300 in one day.
"As far as the families were concerned, I think their biggest concern was that their loved ones would be forgotten. This is a wonderful way to keep their memories alive," Holmes said.
The flowers were just one part of the many random acts of kindness to make something positive out of the tragedy that hit the community 17 years ago.
July 17 is an infamous anniversary in central Pennsylvania.
Seventeen years ago, residents of the Lycoming County community of Montoursville came face to face with their worst nightmare. 16 high school students and five adult chaperones were among the 230 people killed when TWA flight 800 exploded over Long Island, New York on its way to Paris.
On Wednesday in Montoursville, many people were doing something positive to remember the victims of flight 800.
"It was something that you never forget. It's such a small town. Everybody just came together as they still do today," said Jen Gluck.
The people of montoursville did not forget. There is a room of keepsakes at the historical society and a memorial statue outside the high school.
Now, there is something else.
People from Montoursville and beyond are remembering the Montoursville 21 by doing 21 random acts of kindness. What started out as an idea between two friends on Facebook quickly grew and now organizers say more than 500 people are doing random acts of kindness.
"I purchased $21 to put towards the next person's order for their flowers they pick up also."
Jen Gluck's generosity put a smile on Brette Yaw's face.
"All you have to pay on it is $1.26. Are you serious? That is awesome!"
Yaw "paid it forward" and paid $21 towards the next customer's order at Nevill's flowers in Montoursville.
"My niece, my nephew, my mom knows, my kids. I'm going to be able to pass it on so they know and hopefully this continues throughout the years and hopefully we get to remember them every single year," Yaw said.
Yaw and her family gave their carnations to people in Montoursville in memory of the 21 lives lost.
The gold glitter carnations were designed by Rosemary Holmes at Nevill's flower shop. Gold and blue are Montoursville Area High School's colors. She sold about 300 in one day.
"As far as the families were concerned, I think their biggest concern was that their loved ones would be forgotten. This is a wonderful way to keep their memories alive," Holmes said.
The flowers were just one part of the many random acts of kindness to make something positive out of the tragedy that hit the community 17 years ago.
Normal
0
false
false
false
EN-US
X-NONE
X-NONE
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}