WNY remembers lives lost on Flight 3407
People across the community stopped Friday to honor and to remember what happened in Clarence Center one year ago; a snow February night where 51 people lost their lives.One year later, in temples, at universities and on porches, people remember flight 3407. Jason Torreano has more.
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WESTERN NEW YORK -- Across Western New York, people are pausing and remembering and gathering to remember those who were lost.
"It's important sometimes I think to be able to feel like you can do something, rather than just stand by when there's a crisis,” said N. Jo Tufts, a friend of Cantor Susan Wehle’s. “And as small as it is, just reading the names aloud and honoring and remembering them I find very touching."
At Temple Beth Am in Williamsville, people looked back on the life of one of their own: Cantor Susan Wehle.
"For Cantor Wehle tonight, throughout this service this evening, her own words will be intermingled with the words of the prayer book," said Rabbi Irwin Tanenbaum.
Just outside the temple, light on front porches to honor those who never made it home February 12, 2009.
"51 souls. 51 universes. 51 people who had their reach deep into the community," Tanenbaum said.
At U.B., a very different type of ceremony to remember Dr. Allison De Forges. The school hosted a three day series on a nation she loved, Rwanda.
"You know the Bible says a prophet is honored everywhere except their own hometown, and sadly many Buffalonians didn't know how famous and important Dr. De Forges was around the world until after her tragic death," said Allen DeWane Harris, the Executive Producer of the series.
One man who's seen plenty of death and tragedy in own his life is Paul Rusesabagina. Rusesabagina managed a hotel in the Central African nation and is the focus of the film "Hotel Rwanda." He remembers the woman he met 30 years ago and who held onto hope as his country was ravaged by genocide.
"If you forget the past, we'll never know what we're doing today and we never think what is supposed to follow, about the future," said Paul Rusesbagina.
And at Canisius, the bells tolled at the exact moment of impact.