Gander Heritage Memorial Park

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Tuesday, September 20, 2016

The memorial wall "Tragedies of Flight" is unveiled in a ceremony at The Park on Sunday September 18 2016

            TRAGEDIES OF FLIGHT

SABENA AIRLINES
DC-4 - OOCBG
SEPTEMBER 18, 1946
27 FATALITIES 		CZECHOSLOVAKIA AIRLINES
IL-18D - OK-WAL - 523
SEPTEMBER 5, 1967
37 FATALITIES 		ARROW AIR
DC-8 63CF - N950JW - 1285
DECEMBER 12, 1985
256 FATALITIES


We are pleased to announce that during a ceremony at The Park on Sunday, September 18th, 2016, the memorial wall Tragedies of Flight was unveiled by His Excellency Raoul Delcourde, Belgian Ambassador to Canada and dedicated by our Honourary Patron, Reverend Wesley Oake.

Tragedies of Flight is dedicated to those who lost their lives in three aviation disasters that occurred at Gander. Sabena Airlines crashed on approach to Gander in 1946 resulting in 27 fatalities, CSA Czechoslovakia Airlines on take off in 1967 resulting in 37 fatalities, and Arrow Air on take off in 1985 with 256 fatalities.

We wish to thank the Gander SC Community Charities Inc. in collaboration with the Gander Shrine Club, Gander Lions Club, and Gander Co-op 50/50 Lottery for their significant support to this project.

Carol Walsh, Committee Member / September 18, 2016

Sunday, September 18th, 2016, is significant for two reasons. This Sunday is the 70th anniversary of the crash of Sabena Airlines in 1946 and the 76th anniversary of the Battle of Britain in 1940. The third Sunday of September is designated as Battle of Britain Sunday ... [1] "The annual commemoration of the Battle of Britain honours the airmen who fought and died during the battle and recognizes those who continue to serve in the Royal Canadian Air Force today. The ceremony, including the parade, takes place on the third Sunday in September. More than one hundred Canadians flew in the Battle of Britain between July and October 1940 and 23 lost their lives; an unknown number also served as groundcrew. Historians have described the Battle, which involved almost 3,000 Allied airmen, as a turning point of the Second World War. The victory, described by Sir Winston Churchill as Britain's "finest hour" halted a planned invasion of Great Britain and gave hope to a demoralized Britain and northern Europe. It was the first battle to be won by air power."
[1] The Royal Canadian Air Force website


It was during the commemoration of the Battle of Britain ceremonies at The Park that the memorial wall Tragedies of Flight was unveiled by His Excellency Raoul Delcourde, Belgian Ambassador to Canada and dedicated by The Park's Honourary Patron, Reverend Wesley Oake. The Ambassador was in Gander for a number of events commemorating the Sabena crash.

These photos are courtesy of Janet Langdon and Carol Walsh and The Park thanks the ladies.




Battle of Britain Sunday
(Photo courtesy of Janet Langdon)


Battle of Britain Sunday
(Photo courtesy of Janet Langdon)


Battle of Britain Sunday
(Photo courtesy of Janet Langdon)


Battle of Britain Sunday
Laying a wreath at the foot of Winged Victory
(Photo courtesy of Janet Langdon)


Standing by for the unveiling of the memorial wall Tragedies of Flight
(L) His Excellency Raoul Delcourde, Belgian Ambassador to Canada
(R) Reverend Wesley Oake, Honourary Patron of The Park
(Photo courtesy of Janet Langdon)


The memorial wall Tragedies of Flight revealed
(Photo courtesy of Janet Langdon)


The memorial wall Tragedies of Flight
(Photo courtesy of Carol Walsh)


The memorial wall Tragedies of Flight
(Photo courtesy of Janet Langdon)


Laying a wreath at the memorial wall Tragedies of Flight
His Excellency Raoul Delcourde, Belgian Ambassador to Canada
In memory of the Sabena Airlines crash 70 years ago today on September 18th 1946
(Photo courtesy of Carol Walsh)


Laying a wreath at the memorial wall Tragedies of Flight
(Photo courtesy of Janet Langdon)


The memorial wall Tragedies of Flight
(Photo courtesy of Janet Langdon)



TRAGEDIES OF FLIGHT

SABENA AIRLINES
DC-4 - OOCBG
SEPTEMBER 18, 1946
27 FATALITIES 		CZECHOSLOVAKIA AIRLINES
IL-18D - OK-WAL - 523
SEPTEMBER 5, 1967
37 FATALITIES 		ARROW AIR
DC-8 63CF - N950JW - 1285
DECEMBER 12, 1985
256 FATALITIES


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Saturday, September 17, 2016

Unveiling Ceremony at The Park Sunday September 18 2016

Sunday, September 18th, 2016, will see a new monument unveiled at The Park. The new memorial wall is called the Tragedies of Flight! The wall is in memory of the three Gander crashes - Sabena 1946 (this is the 70th anniversary), the Czechoslovakia CSA crash in 1967 and the Arrow Air Disaster in 1985.

Following the "Battle of Britain" ceremony [Sunday, September 18th, 2016] that starts at 10:30 a.m. at the Anglican Church this Memorial Wall will be dedicated by Rev. Wesley Oake and unveiled by the Belgian Ambassador to Canada. Rev. Oake is the Honourary Patron of The Park and the Belgian Ambassador is in Gander for a number of ceremonies marking the 70th anniversary of the Sabena Airlines crash of September 18th 1946.

We apologize for this short notice because we weren’t sure the Wall was going to make it here on time. But the Wall did make it here on time and was installed today [Saturday] and we are very thankful for the participation of the Belgium Ambassador.



"Tragedies of Flight" Memorial Wall


This photo of the new Memorial Wall was supplied by committee member Carol Walsh and was taken today [Saturday] during its installation. The Wall is now covered awaiting the unveiling! After the unveiling we will have an update here on our website with accompanying photos!


We certainly hope you can join us for this special event!



Carol Walsh, Committee Member / September 17, 2016

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