A new memorial in Alexandria will honor the lives of the 67 people killed in last year’s midair collision over the Potomac River, which happened one year ago today.
A bench, newly planted trees and plaque bearing the names of the 67 victims will be installed on the Potomac waterfront on the northeastern portion of Rivergate Park, Mayor Alyia Gaskins announced last night (Wednesday) during a ceremony in D.C. honoring the victims, their families and first responders from the tragic night.
“This site where the river begins to meet and move slowly forward will be a place of remembrance and reflection,” Gaskins said. “We’re grateful for Congressman Beyer as well as all of the families that have worked with us.”
Last night’s ceremony, “Honoring the 67 and Unsung Heroes,” recognized Alexandria’s police and fire departments alongside dozens of first responder groups from around the region.
It was attended by many surviving family members, first responders and politicians, including Rep. Don Beyer, Gov. Abigail Spanberger, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and National Transportation Safety Board Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy.
“While we were powerless in that moment to help our loved ones, we were not powerless to help each other,” said Doug Lane, whose wife, Christine Conrad Lane, and son, 16-year-old figure skater Spencer Lane, were killed in the collision. He detailed how surviving family members have stayed in touch and advocated for safety reforms.
Several family members had attended NTSB’s hearing on Tuesday, where investigators detailed years of ignored warnings and traffic risks.
“Now the important work, the hard work, begins,” Homendy said. “That means relentlessly, vigorously pursuing safety change.”
Beyer said he hopes to pass the ROTOR Act, a reform bill that would require aircrafts to be equipped with Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast.
“Our community has always been a place defined by compassion, resilience, by the belief that we show up for one another, especially in times like these,” Beyer said. “There’ll be much more to do in the months to come.”
In remarks with Beyer, Gaskins said the collision was deeply personal for Alexandria because of its first responders as well as the immense loss of teammates, classmates, friends and neighbors.
“Every name will be acknowledged, every life will be remembered and every story will be told,” Gaskins said.
She told ALXnow she encourages residents with feedback on air safety legislation to reach out to the city, “because we want to be an active voice in those discussions as well.”
The city is still in the memorial design phase, with hopes to install it this spring, Gaskins told ALXnow. Further details will be posted on the city’s website at a later date, she said.
“It is our hope that in love, this place will also be a promise,” Gaskins said, addressing surviving family members. “A promise that when you come, you will see new trees to represent your family members, you will feel a sense of peace, and you will know that your loved ones and each of you will forever be in our hearts, and that in your grief, in your times of reflection and in your fight for more accountability, Alexandria will always be with you,” Gaskins said.
