On the seventh day after a terrible midair collision near Reagan National Airport, people gathered in Alexandria's Rivergate City. The event was somber and respectful. It was a time to honor the 67 lives lost during the plane and helicopter crash. The event took place by the Potomac River, just a few miles away from the crash site.

        Many people held candles. They honour those who lost their lives. They also paid tribute to the first responders who helped after the crash. Virginia Rep. Don Beyer led the ceremony. He reminded everyone that the victims were more than just passengers or crew members. He said, \"They were family members, friends, parents, and colleagues. They made our world a better place. \"  The use of the word colleagues is a nice way to pay respect to the victims, rather than just saying they were on the job.  Everyone has a short list of people who made a positive impact.  After an event like this we often remember them more clearly.  They made a difference in our life.

        Other politicians like Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine also attended the vigil. It was clear they struggled to convey their gratitude to the people who helped with the rescue efforts.  They also struggled to say anything meaningful to the families of the victims.  \"Thank you\" was not enough.  This left them searching for the right words.  It is hard to say the right words at a time like this.

        Michael Lincoln, a former flight attendant, shared his thoughts at the vigil. He thought about all the people who lost their lives. He thought about the crew, who were just doing their jobs when tragedy struck. “It was the worst nightmare for them. ” Currently, when there is a plane crash we think about not just the passengers.  We think about the crew and how many families are affected.  We feel their pain, but we can only imagine the pain they are experiencing.

        Liz White, from Middleburg, Virginia, shared her experience. She was a Red Cross volunteer who helped after the 9/11 attacks in New York. She spent seven weeks at ground zero.  She could relate to the sadness and the loss people felt.  She was able to relate to the feelings of the families who lost loved ones in the crash.

        She also honored the many first responders who helped with the search and rescue efforts.  They have memories of the event that are more detailed than anyone else.  They have a heavy burden to bear.

        What happened that day was an accident. There is no way to know why it happened.  But it is hard to understand the pain and the suffering that comes with it.  When a disaster happens we all suffer.  A terrible accident took place. But the community came together to honour those who were lost and pay tribute to the men and women who responded to the event. It was a day to remember.  It was a day to reflect on how much we have lost and how lucky we are to have people who are willing to risk their lives to help others.

Remembering LIVES LOST: A Midair Tragedy and Our Reaction

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