For the past eight years, I have made the trip to Union Cemetery in Newport, Tennessee to place flower arrangements at the memorial that has been dedicated to the passengers and crew of United Flight 823 on the last flight's anniversary, July 9, 1964.
I use the same florist shop and this year was no different. Entering through the back door, I was surprised to see Vince and Charlene Richardson standing in the shop. It turns out the couple had got up early today and left their home in Crossville, Tennessee to also visit the memorial. Out of the several florist shops in Newport, they managed to pick the one where I had ordered the arrangement!
The Richardsons followed my wife, Bobbie, who was driving, and me up the cemetery hill, to where we placed the floral arrangement.
I would like to mention that Vince lost three people on July 9, 1964, who were very dear to him: Mary Chesney, his grandmother, Elizabeth Chesney Richardson, his mother, and beloved family friend, William Whittaker.
Today is a sad day especially for those who lost loved ones on that tragic day. However, a little bit of reassurance shone through, to remind us that the thirty-nine passengers and crew have not been forgotten.
*Special thank you to the Richardsons for their generosity.
——Tom Dier
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