1970 Marshall Plane Crash: We Remember

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"I have never forgotten those guys"

2010-02-23T06:36:00.000-08:00

David Griffith was a good friend and fellow classmate at Ferrum College.I had the pleasure of working out with Coach Tolley's team at Ferrum, many of whom transferred to Marshall with the coach. I have never forgotten those guys. Picking up the Richmond paper and seeing David's picture held by his wife with baby in hand is permanently etched in my mind.I miss you David-big time.

Joe Kellington

"Thank you for the kind and touching words about my father"

2009-08-20T12:25:00.001-07:00

Pat,

Thank you for the kind and touching words about my father. I'm very happy to hear you have good memories of knowing him and watching him play. While it is very true, life was never the same for the people and community affected by the tragedy. The individual and collective strength of pure love, compassion, and fortitude allow us to move forward.

Daniel Dodson Stainback

"My heart, too, goes out the everyone who lost a loved one that night"

2009-08-17T06:02:00.000-07:00

My name is Pat (Grey) Burton. For the first time, I watched We Are Marshall last night on TV... then I watched it again. What a horrible, tragic loss for so many. I graduated high school with John Stainback, the brother of Jerry Dotson (J.D.) Stainback who died in that crash. J.D. was a couple of years older than Johnny and I, and I remember watching J.D. play football while at Warwick. He has a terrific person, fun loving, good looking, down to earth nice guy and great ball player. After seeing the movie, I logged into Goggle and began reading all the stories and seeing all the pictures. It was as though time had stood still, so many years ago. J.D's. MU picture looked just like he did in high school. Just read a story written in a Roanoke newspaper, entitled 35 Years of Pain where it discussed the 7 Ferrum players who transferred over to MU, one of them J.D. Thought I remembered he'd married and sure enough the article mentioned his wife and child at the time. My heart, too, goes out the everyone who lost a loved one that night. I know for the Stainback family, life surely was never the same.

-Pat Burton

"My heart goes out to all the families and their tremendous losses."

2009-08-10T05:37:00.000-07:00

My best friend, Shirley Mealey and Ray Hagley, were my friends in Huntington schools many years ago.

I later lived in CA and heard of the crash and phoned quickly..finally reaching a distraught lady who answered Dr. Hagley's office phone and told me they were both in the plane. I felt so helpless!

Shirley and I had often talked and written of getting our families together while they were all young.

My heart goes out to all the families and their tremendous losses.

Barbara (Riggs) Taylor
taylor.barbara@gmail.com

"It really had a very powerful impact on me"

2009-03-25T13:56:00.000-07:00

I played football for 6 years total. 4 in high school, 2 in semi pro... and when I saw the movie "We are marshall" it really had a very powerful impact on me. It was probably the most powerful film i've ever seen... My heart and prayers go out to those who were close to the ones who were lost. GO HERD!

-Pete Gaines, Berkshire Mountaineers

"I remember that night so well"

2009-03-03T06:46:00.000-08:00

I remember that night so well. Dark and drizzly. My father was a Marshall English professor and a big sports fan. He rushed over to the university to see what he could do to help, and they put him on the most terrible job of all. He was one of the people who had to call parents of the football team and tell them their sons were gone.

He could never talk about it but said it was the worst thing he's ever had to do in his life.

Lucy Proctor, who lost both parents in the crash, was in my class at Huntington High School. I didn't know what to say to her and so I didn't say anything. I regret that so much now.

-Julie Sullivan

"We will always remember"

2009-02-12T06:56:00.000-08:00

I grew up in Huntington WV. There isn't a greater place to live or a more loving city. I was only 8 years old when this crash happened and remember well the fight back to be the awesome team that THE THUNDERING HERD has become. We will always remember those who lost their lives on that tragic night. The people of Huntington and MARSHALL will continue to be overcomers. Even though I live in Kentucky now I will always follow our HERD and keep them in my heart. LOVE YOU HUNTINGTON
-Visa

"My heart goes out...

2009-02-10T11:28:00.001-08:00

I'm Horace & I live in Augusta, ga.

I watched the movie Yesterday. My Heart goes out for the coaches,players, relatives & the town who suffered this tragady. I was about 10 when this happaned & never knew of it....Please Remember, They not ONLY live in your hearts...They now live in mine & millions of Other people who will watch the movie. Bless you all. Bless THE TEAM & GO MARSHALL!!

"I am so sorry you have suffered this loss"

2008-12-14T20:23:00.001-08:00

Hi. I have watched "We Are Marshall" and my heart goes out to the families and friends off all who were killed in the plane crash. I know that time doesn't really ease pain, you just learn to live with it. I have felt like crying for the people who went through all of this. I have suffered some losses in the past two years and I understand more than ever now how a loss like this can hurt. I will be praying for you and I want to tell you that I am so sorry for your pain. I know that people will wish that someone was there for some event in their life to share it with them. And I wanted to tell you that I am so sorry you have suffered this loss.

-Heidi Dietrich

"So sorry for the loss of all your loved ones"

2008-11-11T06:44:00.000-08:00

hi my name is kelly and im from australia ive watched the movie and i must say i couldnt stop crying it was so sad.

I just cant believe that there all gone, i keep watching the movie over and over, im so sorry for the loss of all your loved ones in the crash, one day i hope to come over and visit the place where they all stood and played.

"I get chills and can't help but tear up."

2008-11-02T14:03:00.001-08:00

I grew up listening to this story. It seems like just about everyone in my family attended Marshall (including myself). My uncle (by marriage), his brother was one of the team members that died in the crash. My uncle came to Marshall the following year and played for the Young Thundering Herd. Everytime I watch the movie, read an article about the crash, watch a documentary about the events of Nov. 14, 1970...I get chills and can't help but tear up. This tragedy will be in our hearts forever, but like they say, "out of the ashes we rose." We are...Marshall...forever!
-Anonymous

"A Healing Return"

2008-10-28T11:31:00.001-07:00

A story I wrote earlier this year as I remembered the events of 1970.

A HEALING RETURN

I’ve thought about the trip many times; gone over it again and again in my mind.

In November I’ll finally make the real trip that I’ve avoided making all these years. I guess I just didn’t want to be reminded of what happened on that West Virginia hillside so many years ago when 75 people including my good friend and teammate Art Harris and his dad lost their lives in a devastating plane crash that rocked the town of Huntington, West Virginia and changed so many lives in the blink of an eye. I guess I didn’t want to feel that survivor’s guilt again; as Mr. Harris, Art’s dad, had invited me to join him on the trip that weekend.

It was November, 1970 a day or so after the crash that for some reason I was drawn to the campus of Marshall. So I got in my car and drove the almost 600 miles to West Virginia. I had no idea what I would do when I got there or why I was going. I think I needed the confirmation that this wasn't just a nightmare.

As I arrived on campus, the atmosphere was gloomy along with the weather. There were no smiles, there was no laughter that I remembered from my previous visits. Everyone seemed to be walking around in a daze. As I have written before, time seemed to stand still.

I hitched a ride out to the crash site that was still smoldering with a few flames here or there. As I approached the site it was like a movie and everything taking place was in slow motion. My whole body became weak and my hands shook at the thought of what I might be about to witness. Not far down the hillside I saw the smoldering wreckage, what was once the a fuselage of a DC9. As I remember this, I think of the line in the movie ‘WE ARE MARSHALL’ when Nate Ruffin asks the firemen to check the front of the plane to identify the airline. The fireman replies, “Son, there is no front of the plane”.

That’s exactly how devastating the scene that unfolded in front of me appeared.

My heart sank and I was so weak that I dropped to my knees on the muddy road,with tears in my eyes. It was at this moment that I really understood that Art and his dad were not coming home. There would be no NFL, no more “partner in crime” and no more hours of talking about sports with Mr. Harris.

I got to my feet,turned from the wreckage and began to walk down the old logging road to collect my thoughts. I thought about Art’s two sisters and his mom and Art's 1year old son who would never get to know his dad and all the other people in Huntington and around the country who had their lives changed forever.

I attended a service that night which seemed, for the moment to make things better and I helped at the armory where they brought the bodies in for identification; something I will never talk about in any detail. I returned home when I could no longer take the heartbreak and grief,.

I attended my friends’ funeral, where we placed a football and a six pack with the casket. I took a rose from one of the wreaths and still have that rose to this day.

I occasionally return to my native NJ and when I do, one of my first stops is the cemetery to pay my respects to Art and his dad and now his little sister and mom; who always treated me as family.

Time passes quickly. But those memories are as fresh as if they happened yesterday.

So in November, that part of my life will have come full circle. Would I change anything? Of course I would. Art had so much promise as an athlete and as a person.

I’ll go over the trip in my mind over and over again until November, when I’ll retrace my steps from so many years ago. The sights, the sounds and the smells will re-emerge and as I take each step it will seem like slow motion. My knees will be weak and my hands will shake once again as I approach the crash site. This time however, will be a healing trip; unlike my previous trip in 1970.

I hope that those who have struggled and still struggle with what happened on that hillside in 1970 can find peace after 38 years in knowing that their friends and family are always remembered; not just at the Fountain Ceremony on November 14th every year, but everyday of the year by everyone and anyone who was connected to the event.

This one single event shaped our lives and are part of who we are and we all are forever connected. As someone once wrote,"WE ARE ALL ONE HEART", although we’ve probably never met.

Those of us who didn’t board that plane, for whatever reason, were given a second chance.

That second chance has given me two sons, my siblings, my friends and best of all, life itself. I've tried to make the best of that gift and give back whenever I can.

I’ll remember the football games in the mud, the church basketball championships and Art’s winning hits in the baseball games. Most of all I’ll remember Art’s devilish smile when his practical jokes gave everyone a good laugh. These things I would never trade for anything.

Roy 2008

"That night remains frozen in my mind"

2008-10-22T10:29:00.000-07:00

I grew up in Lyndhurst N.J. , home of QB Ted Shoebridge. I was about 14 at the time and that night remains frozen in my mind to this day. My friends and I heard the news while attending a dance that Saturday night. We rushed home only to find that it really was true. We all went to the memorial service for Ted ; it seemed the whole town was there. I knew his 2 brothers . We were all devastated. God bless the 1970 Herd.

-Anonymous

"I hope someday to make this story even more known"

2008-07-24T13:40:00.001-07:00

I wasn't around during 1970. I didnt have any family there that i know of. i wasnt even born until about 20 years later. but i have seen the movie and i have done much research since I've seen We Are Marshall. I cant even begin to imagine what the people that were there fathers mothers siblings family and people that lived there went through. i continue to find new facts about the crash all the time. i hope someday to make this story even more known.

-Anonymous

"I feel for those who suffered in this tragedy"

2008-06-22T12:25:00.001-07:00

I just watched the movie "We Are Marshall" I could not take my eyes of this movie, my husband and my 4 year old set by my side at times we smiled, other times we were silent on others we were teary up. I believe the actors did a great job on honoring the coaches,players and relatives who suffered this tragady. Thru them I felt the pain, the love for the game,and to remember the amazing Marshall team. I feel for those who suffered in this tragedy, the ones who lost their kids, partners, parents, relatives and friends. My heart goes out, and may God always Bless You.

Susan Chavez

California

"My heart drops"

2008-06-22T12:24:00.001-07:00

Family and friends on the Marshall University football team,

I came across this site after watching the movie, "We are Marshall", and was curious about the incidents that happened many years ago. As I learn about the tragic accident, my heart drops in ache as of what your family, friends, school and community had to go through. Everyday you read about high school teams working together as a brotherhood, inseperable in the lives and the spirit a team brings upon fellow students, community and each other. For this to happen, it tears your spirit apart, your hopes and your joys. The strength and power that you all have had to grow was probably the new spirit and the new strength that makes Marshall the school what it is today. Go Marshall! For never giving up and having the drive to grow and become Marshall once again! God Bless.

-Anonymous

"My heart goes out to all."

2008-06-16T13:45:00.000-07:00

I fell asleep watching a movie on HBO. When I woke up "We are Marshalls" was just starting. A movie about a football team. I am female, never liked any sports and this was NOT my kind of movie. I started to clean up my room and didn't bother to shut off the tv or change the channel. I looked up though as the coach was saying "we are gonna be landing shortly guys" and he sat in his seat on the plane and then there was a flash and the screen turned black. I sat on the edge of my bed and I couldn't turn away from watching the rest of the movie. My heart was breaking. I am so sorry for everyones loss. As you can see, the movie inspired me to research the tragedy further. Which I did immediately after watching the movie. I hope all is going well for those survived by the victims of this enigma. It is not for us to know or even understand these kinds of things I guess. My heart goes out to all. My cousin died only a few weeks ago in a tragic CRAZY FREAK accident involving a semi truck. He too, was burned and unrecognizable. He had to be positively ID'ed by his dental records. He was only 38 and so so tall and handsome. So I can relate to the reaction we have at this kind of end for the ones we love.

-Spokane WA Resident

"The Marshall story is one of loss, perserverance and hope ..."

2008-06-01T12:00:00.000-07:00

I stumbled upon the Marshall Story while researching some Rutgers football info. just before the movie came out in 2006.

Coincidentally, a local NJ paper (The Star Ledger) published a powerful piece about the young Teddy Shoebridge (QB)from Lyndhurst NJ, of the fateful team that perished in the crash and the grief that the Shoebridge family experiences to this day. This story affected me profoundly. The Marshall story is one of loss, perserverance and hope and it truly mirrors our own challenges on a different level. I will never drive through the town of Lyndhurst NJ without thinking of the young Quarterback and all of the 'Sons of Marshall'. May they find peace......

-BigAl

"It was really touching"

2008-05-20T06:36:00.000-07:00

I just saw the movie dedicated for the Marshall Football Team entitled "We Are Marshall". I could say that it was really touching and deeply emotional knowing that it happened in the real. Years have passed but the people who died on that crash would always be remembered by everyone.
-Anonymous

"I can't believe what this town has endured."

2008-04-14T18:04:00.001-07:00

Incredible. I can't believe what this town has endured. The actors have done a great service and honor to those who remained after the crash. Tragic story/moving emotional movie.

-Diane

'Compelled to journey to Huntington'

2008-03-23T14:03:00.000-07:00

This story & movie touched me so that I was compelled to journey to Huntington West Virginia in late August, 2007 on my way to an event in Indiana. It was the first week of classes and as I breathed the air and anonymously walked down some of the halls of the University, visited the fountain, walked through the stadium and by the steel mill, I knew that it would be an experience I would never forget.

Dave N.
Kitchener, Ontario

'God bless you'

2007-12-05T06:33:00.000-08:00

God bless you and all of those whose lives this terrible tragedy affected.

I can't even begin to imagine the pain you have endured.I just watched the movie and was brought to tears many times during it. How beautifully the town has pulled together, helping one another get back on their feet.

They did a wonderful job with the movie. When I put it on, I wasn't sure what to expect.

Again, God bless you.

-Sue From MA

"You Are Marshall"

2007-11-28T05:34:00.000-08:00

I know the movie has been out for a while now, but me & my husband just had the pleasure of seeing it. We are both big football fans, but being from TX and only born in 83 & 84 had never really heard this tragic story. I have to say I have not cried so much or been so touched by a story in a long time! The movie was very well done & I thought paid very good tribute to all the lives that were lost. We are also from a small town & know how much of a tragedy loosing home town people can be. Loosing one person is bad enough much less 75 young to old. I have looked over the web site & read numerous blogs on how much those people are missed.

I just wanted to say that YOU ARE MARSHALL & you can continue to make it through with all 75 in your hearts! Good luck to the future Thundering Herds!-

Staci RetzlaffLexington TX

Online site about the 1970 Marshall plane crash available again

2007-11-08T06:32:00.000-08:00

During the transition to new content management software, we had to temporarily take down our "1970 Marshall Plane Crash: The Real Story" site in order to move it to the new platform.

I am pleased to announce the site has returned.

The site features:

* original game stories and rosters of the 1970 and ’71 teams.
* photo galleries of the teams, Fairfield Stadium and more.
* biographical information about the victims.
* stories about Jack Lengyel, Nate Ruffin and Red Dawson.
* a history of Marshall football.
* coverage of the filming of the movie.

Explore the site by clicking here.

If you should find any technical glitches, please e-mail to me at acopley@herald-dispatch.com.

Thanks,
Andrea Copley-Smith
online editor
The Herald-Dispatch