"The silence was overwhelming"

I was 14, To me it was the moment Huntington stood still. The silence was overwhelming. The grief devastating,The tears poured everywhere. We lost our other family.

Yeah that was Marshall, When they hit the field, It was like watching your brothers playing Football and your sisters cheering them on. 
It's not just the team, It's Huntington. WE ARE MARSHALL.! YOU are Forever Missed!

- Sonja Henie Burd 

"We still miss Uncle Kenny"

Ken Jones was my uncle. I remember my husband and I and our baby girl, Michelle, going to his studio one time on our way to West Virginia. When we got back on the road, he talked to us through the radio station. We were so sorry when the plane crash happened. We still miss Uncle Kenny.

Bev Lawrence
St. Louis, MO 

"There will always be a strong connection between Ferrum College and Marshall University"

I grew up in the small town of Boydton, Virginia. My father was one of the football coaches at the local high school (Bluestone) and coached David Griffith. I remember when they had a moment of silence at the Bluestone football game after the crash. That was my first recollection of the crash, I was 10.

My parents always spoke of what a fine person David was, and they thought so much of him.

I never knew, until I went to Ferrum College in 1978, that David too had attended Ferrum. Coach Rick Tolley was the first full time assistant football coach ever hired at Ferrum, and 7 of the players that were on Ferrum's 1968 Junior College National Championship team, transferred to Marshall.

Of the six persons buried at Springhill Cemetery in Huntington WV, three were Ferrum transfers. David Griffith, Thomas Brown, and Thomas Zborill. Marshall University, and the town of Huntington suffered unimaginable grief in the days and weeks after the crash. I am certain that the pain experienced cannot be done justice in We Are Marshall. While an epic movie, and one of my favorites, it focused most of its content on the rebirth of Marshall football. This was a smart decision by the producers of the movie as to try to duplicate what the community went through would likely have fallen short.

I just hope that people realize that a small college in Virginia, lost six former players, and a former assistant coach. There will always be a strong connection between Ferrum College and Marshall University. 

-Ferrum82

"Thanks for the movie, for without it I would not have known"

I too just watched the movie "We are Marshall" and I am truly devastated and overwhelmed to find out this was a true story. I was about 5 at the time but it is a mystery as to why I never heard of this tragedy as I am a avid football fan of old and new. I am as grief stricken as if I was right there amongst you all and my condolences go out to anyone who lost someone in this crash and especially to Ruffin, Oliver, Red, and others who lived with the guilt of not being there. Thanks for the movie, for without it I would not have known.

- Ginger, Cleveland, Ohio

"My thoughts and prayers will always be with you"

I barely remember hearing about the crash when I was in high school. Sports were not my thing. However, I watched 'We Are Marshall' last night and started reading more on the internet. I just want the families and friends to Marshall University to know that my thoughts and prayers will always be with you. God Bless you all! -BLH

"Any real fan of football cannot watch the film without crying"

The newspaper has done a tremendous public service in compiling so much history of the people and events surrounding that time. I was 23 when the tragedy happened and I recall how amazing was the rebirth of Marshall with such great teams and players dominating the nation in the 90s. Coach Lengyel will always be a hero in my eyes, as will Reggie Oliver, Nate and Red Dawson. Any real fan of football cannot watch the film without crying. Richard Kaffenberger University of Arizona, Class of 72

"My prayers go out to each and everyone of those directly involved"

We (Memphis) played y'all on the 40 anniversary and I hope this will not come across in a bad way, but we were honored.

I could never fully understand how that would feel, but when we lost our football coach and a highly regarded recruit in a plane crash on their way to do an interview if I remember correctly, that stung our community.

As fans, we adopt our football team and love them, as you guys do. Losing a few compared to losing our entire team is something that cannot be compared by the degree of hurt we each felt for the players,coaches, boosters, friends, and family of the crash that ended so many lives of your football family.

My prayers go out to each and everyone of those directly involved or indirectly.

Although it's been over 40 years, I am sure those who perished are not far from your minds. I am glad you had the courage to build it back up and am honored to have you as an opponent.

Although we are off to the big least, we will always consider ourselves blessed to have shared some time with your community and hope to continue to play. God Bless you all.

-Anonymous

"My heart goes out to all of you and your families"

To everyone that was affected by this tragic accident, my heart goes out to all of you and your families. I don't know anyone that was involved in this tragedy, but I saw the movie " We Are Marshall" and I was completly touched by this story. I am 17 years old and never before has s story touched my heart so profoundly. This was a terrible tradegy that I will never forget, and a team that everyone will always remember. WE! ARE! MARSHALL!!