It was one of the darkest days in metro Detroit. It's been 25 years since the crash of Northwest Flight 255. Thursday, families gathered at the crash site to remember those who died.
The big jet crashed just seconds after taking off from Detroit Metro Airport. 154 people aboard and two on the ground were killed for a total of 156 victims.
There was only one survivor, four-year-old Cecelia Cichan. Her picture is on a backboard firefighters used to rescue her and rush her to the hospital. She was traveling with her parents. Her mother, father and older brother were all killed in the accident.
Father Jim Wieging was the priest who served as the chaplain for the Detroit Police Department at the time of the crash. He led the service. He has officiated every service.
Wieging said the families needed to be there and they need each other.
"This is the group they can find people who understand. They don't have to try to explain it. They know where they're coming from, and they don't have to say let me try to inform you. They know."
Wieging read all the names of the 156 victims beginning at 8:46 p.m., the time of the crash. Approximately 300 family members, friends and first responders were there with prayers, candles and curiosity.
"That what ifs. What would they be like. I think another question that comes up is what are all 156 of these individuals doing? All they all together? Probably living it up. Probably looking down and having a great big grin on their face. I think it would make them happy to know that we're trying to do them proud," said Tony Zanger, who lost his brother.
23-year-old Army Second Lieutenant Christine Hoffman was returning to her army job after a visit with her family in Erie, Pennsylvania. Her father said he had to be attend this service.
"Recognize and pay our respects to our daughter and to all the other victims of the crash of 255 and say a little prayer."
One of the victim's family members told us they had to be there and will come back because they don't have a cemetery to go to grieve.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:26 PM EDT2013-06-20 03:26:37 GMT
Mitchell Young's trial got underway on Wednesday. He is accused in the murder of Robert Cipriano and the beatings of Robert's wife, Rose, and son, Sal.
Mitchell Young's trial got underway on Wednesday. He is accused in the murder of Robert Cipriano and the beatings of Robert's wife, Rose, and son, Sal.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:52 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:52:15 GMT
The Detroit Red Wings and city officials on Wednesday announced a $650 million plan for a new arena development for the NHL team in Detroit's downtown entertainment and sports district.
The Detroit Red Wings and city officials on Wednesday announced a $650 million plan for a new arena development for the NHL team in Detroit's downtown entertainment and sports district.
Thursday, June 20 2013 7:08 AM EDT2013-06-20 11:08:24 GMT
A northern New Jersey town has reinstated its volunteer fire department days after suspending it because a teen was accused of molesting a firefighter's 3-year-old son behind a fire truck.
A northern New Jersey town has reinstated its volunteer fire department days after suspending it because a teen was accused of molesting a firefighter's 3-year-old son behind a fire truck.
Thursday, June 20 2013 6:10 AM EDT2013-06-20 10:10:08 GMT
The driver of the vehicle that left several people injured and a trail of destruction in the area of 2nd Avenue and East 4th Street in the East Village has been arrested.
The driver of the vehicle that left several people injured and a trail of destruction in the area of 2nd Avenue and East 4th Street in the East Village has been arrested.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 10:55 PM EDT2013-06-20 02:55:03 GMT
The actor James Gandolfini, best known for his award-winning portrayal of New Jersey mobster Tony Soprano in the HBO series "The Sopranos," has died in Italy. He was 51.
The actor James Gandolfini, best known for his award-winning portrayal of New Jersey mobster Tony Soprano in the HBO series "The Sopranos," has died in Italy. He was 51.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 10:53 PM EDT2013-06-20 02:53:25 GMT
Joe Torre's daughter caught a 1-year-old boy who fell from a fire escape outside a second-floor apartment in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn Wednesday morning.
Joe Torre's daughter caught a 1-year-old boy who fell from a fire escape outside a second-floor apartment in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn Wednesday morning.
New York state and Eastman Kodak Co. have reached a deal that will keep some of the troubled company's operations in Rochester and provide $49 million for environmental cleanup at the once bustling Eastman...
New York state and Eastman Kodak Co. have reached a deal that will keep some of the troubled company's operations in Rochester and provide $49 million for environmental cleanup at the once bustling Eastman Business Park.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:51 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:51:22 GMT
Franklin Reyes, 17, was in court Wednesday. He is charged with the death of 4-year-old Ariel Russo.
Franklin Reyes, 17, was in court Wednesday. He is charged with the death of 4-year-old Ariel Russo. He is accused of driving without a license, then fleeing police, jumping a curb, and hitting Ariel and her grandmother as they were walking to school.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:13 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:13:15 GMT
More than 70 percent of New Jersey residents have seen or heard the state's "Stronger than the Storm" advertising campaign, according to a new Rutgers-Eagleton poll.
More than 70 percent of New Jersey residents have seen or heard the state's "Stronger than the Storm" advertising campaign, according to a new Rutgers-Eagleton poll.
Friday, January 18 2013 10:59 PM EST2013-01-19 03:59:24 GMT
Students, teammates, and family members gathered Friday night, remembering Toron Murphy Jr. A senior at Martin Luther King Jr. High School in Detroit, Murphy Jr. died this past Tuesday after tragically
Students, teammates, and family members gathered Friday night, remembering Toron Murphy Jr. A senior at Martin Luther King Jr. High School in Detroit, Murphy Jr. died this past Tuesday after tragically
Friday, June 14 2013 11:42 PM EDT2013-06-15 03:42:43 GMT
Police say a man entered a Rochester Hills apartment through an unlocked door wall early Thursday morning and then sexually assaulted the woman inside.
Police say a man entered a Rochester Hills apartment through an unlocked door wall early Thursday morning and then sexually assaulted the woman inside.
Friday, June 7 2013 10:33 PM EDT2013-06-08 02:33:06 GMT
Golf is supposed to be a relaxing sport, but in Oakland Township, police say the game turned violent. A club was broken and then the shaft used to stab a man in the arm.
Golf is supposed to be a relaxing sport, but in Oakland Township, police say the game turned violent. A club was broken and then the shaft used to stab a man in the arm.
Monday, May 27 2013 7:01 AM EDT2013-05-27 11:01:40 GMT
A man accused of killing his wife and two children in Novi in 2008 has been extradited from India to Metro Detroit to face murder charges. His arrest could end a five-year-old murder mystery.
A man accused of killing his wife and two children in Novi in 2008 has been extradited from India to Metro Detroit to face murder charges. His arrest could end a five-year-old murder mystery.
