FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. – On December 12, 1985, shortly after take-off from an airport in Gander, Newfoundland, Arrow Flight 1285 crashed approximately a half-mile post takeoff; killing 248 Strike Soldiers and the eight Arrow Air crew members on board.
On Wednesday December 12, 2012, an annual memorial ceremony was held in front of 248 Canadian Sugar Maple Trees that were planted in memory of those soldiers who perished.
The 248 soldiers were returning from a six-month peacekeeping mission to Sinai, Egypt, as part of the Multinational Force and observers duty. The soldiers were from several different military units at Fort Campbell, all attached to 3rd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade.
The first memorial service was held on December 16th, 1985 and was lead by then President Ronald Reagan. In his speech the President said, “Love is never wasted, love is never lost, love lives on and sees us through sorrow.” A memorial service has been held every year since then.
During today’s speech, Lieutenant Colonel Townley Hedrick, Deputy Commanding Officer 2nd Brigade Combat Team said, “Seeing all of you here, the families that return every year, letting us do this collective embrace is really a touching event and what it makes me realize the most is the greatest thing about this team you see there, the soldiers, and the trees that represent the soldiers that we lost is, you’re on a team, that you’re never alone and you’ll never be forgotten.
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Will take place Saturday, May 18 at 4 p.m. at the Customs House Museum. International recording artist Yelina will perform and serve as a judge. Contestants will represent Spain, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Peru and Guyana South America. For more information, contact Mildred Veron, Director of the Miss and Teen Tennessee Latina Pageant, at 931-249-5792.
MayDay Mayhem
Will take place Saturday, May 18 at 6 p.m. at the Clarksville Speedway, 1600 Needmore Rd. Clarksvillain Roller Girls Vs. Cookeville Demolition Dolls. Doors open at 6 p.m. at the whistle blows at 7 p.m. Presale tickets are $8 and $10 at the door. Children 10 and under are free. For more information, visit www.clarksvillianrollergirls.com.
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