Survived By

On July 17, 1996, TWA 800 exploded over the Atlantic Ocean 12 minutes after takeoff from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. There were no survivors. Among the 230 on board were 16 French Club students and 5 chaperones from Montoursville High School in Pennsylvania. The town would never be the same.

In the aftermath of the crash, flowers, gifts and notes poured in from all over the world. One item, a stuffed bear sen...

In 1995, Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols built and planted a truck bomb outside of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City with the goal of inciting a revolution against the federal government. Instead, the nation united behind a city reeling from loss. And a phone call from one first lady to another began a movement that would continue for decades.

Executive producer and host: Erika Grotto

Sound design and editing:...

Heidi Snow Cinader was 24 when her fiance, Michel Breistroff, died in the crash of TWA 800. As she sought to rebuild the future she'd planned for herself, she found the most comfort talking with people who had gone through similar losses. Through her efforts, ACCESS--AirCraft Casualty Emotional Support Services--came to pass. Now, her daughter Sadie has learned from her example and also uses a traumatic event in her past to help ot...

In 1997, Anne McGinty was commissioned to compose a piece for the Montoursville High School band in memory of three band members who had died in the crash of TWA 800. It should have been just another job.

"'Tis a Gift" shared by licensing agreement with Neil A. Kjos Music Company.

Executive producer and host: Erika Grotto

Sound design and editing: Matt Grotto

Theme music courtesy of Champagne Sunday

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