'All I need are the memories of a great friend and teammate"

HI Mike,

Artie was a good friend and teammate and I was always treated like part of his family by his mom , dad and sisters. Mister Harris asked me to got the game with him that weekend, but I didn't go because of a previous committment.

I have some great memories and stories about Art and our "escapades" in high School. Art was a fun loving guy and his dad was his biggest fan. Art was destined for the NFL and could have also played pro baseball.

I'm glad you had your brief encounter with Artie because those of us who knew him have been blessed to have him touch our lives.

One day I'll get back to Marshall and take in the memorials. But all I need are the memories of a great friend and teammate.

Roy Slezak

Passaic, NJ/Chandler, AZ

From an ECU team member

I was the ECU right Defensive End who Art Harris pass blocked most of the game. I have prayed for Art, his Dad and the rest of the Team since the accident.

I made a goal of getting up to Huntington to pay my respects at the Memorials and finally accomplished it about 8 years ago at which time I placed my old ECU purple game helmet that was broken that night so long ago, near the memorial outside of the new stadium. I only wish I could have known Art in a more personal way.

- Mike McGuirk

'A hard time'

I was teaching at Cammack at the time and remember how sad it was to return on Monday with two children in the same class period who had lost one or both parents and several others within our school that shared the same fate. It was a hard time for all then and will be a hard again as the movie becomes reality. Yet, I am glad the story is being brought to life. It will be a time of sadness, a time when old wounds will re-open, and a time when we all will heal once again.

I have never attended one of the fountain memorial services but think of it often and have visited the fountain several times to remember. I taught 30 years and had several grandchildren of those who were taken that night. All that I have known through the years have made their parents proud. Just recalling those times brings a sadness to my heart and awakens feelings that appeared lost. Yet, another set of feelings move in that lets me know that we all can be proud that WE ARE...MARSHALL! It's good that this space is available for any who wish to share their feelings of then and now.

-Anonymous

'God bless all involved'

My wife and I were both Marshall Graduates. I served on student government SBVP, and Hodges Hall Dorm Director, and wife was on the Parthenon Staff. At the time of the crash, my wife taught at Cammack Elem, while I was teaching at Huntington High. She was teaching a number of kids whose parents were lost and some of the players were in the dorm when I served as Director of Hodges Hall. I had been close to the coaches and players and a friend of mine and I recommended that the new Director of Admissions get the "tickets" to the Big Game and fly with the dignitaries. Oh, what fate life brings to us all. We still love and support Marshall through number of ways and only hope we have "paid back" from sad difficult memories. God Bless all involved in this terrible tragedy, former and present engaged to the memory of a great University.

Fred and Donna Reeder

'The feel of the town was just sadness'

I was in High School attending Huntington High when this happened. Even though is was so long ago, I still get a lump in my throat and choke up when I speak of it or read this web page.

It was gray and raining that night we got the news and it seemed that in the weeks that followed the town itself cried and cried. The "feel" of the town was just sadness. I will never forget it.

Doris Greenlee

'I remember'

I remember exactly where I was when I heard the news that god awful night. All I wanted to do was go home and be with my parents.

I remember falling into my father's lap crying uncontrollably asking him "why". The man had no explanation. When I saw the memorial fountain on campus for the first time with my college-age children, I tried to explain to them but I couldn't speak as the emotions all came back.

I hope the movie will be a success and the nation will see how Huntington became one family on a dark, dreary rainy night in WV.

-Anonymous

In memory of Art Harris

Art Harris was a very good friend and teammate. I'll always cherish the times we had together at Passaic High School, our church basketball games etc.

Mr. Harris, Art's dad. would talk with me for hours about local sports and was Art's biggest fan. He was also lost on that November day.

When I heard the news of the crash my whole life changed. Art will always be part of my cherished memories. I was treated as part of his family by his mom , dad and sisters and will never forget that.

I mourned for his young son who never got to know his dad. I only hope that his son knows, today how special Art was to so many people.

Roy

'It still seems like yesterday'

So much time has passed since the crash in 1970, but it still seems like yesterday. I was a freshman at Marshall. It was very difficult to lose so many people at once.

I came very close to having my father Ed Starling on that plane, if my grandfather not died the week before he would have been on that flight.

I'm glad that the story is told. It would have been nice if every one involved could have had their story told. My daughter and mom are thankful though that we were told about the Memorial Ceremony and were able to be a part of it. I'm sure my father would have wanted us to be there.

Gina Starling Gunn
Brentwood, TN 37027