The Tragic True Story Of TWA Flight 800
The passengers on board TWA Flight 800 were from all walks of life: some were students, some were businesspeople, others were well-known public figures. According to the Associated Press, actor Joe Mantegna spoke about losing his English teacher from high school, Lois Van Epps, in the crash. He said that she motivated him to pursue acting. He remarked, "Up to that point, I had no more interest in acting than the man in the moon. She was absolutely instrumental and vital to me in being the performer I am today."
Another victim from the crash was celebrated French musician Marcel Dadi who was going back to France after a trip to Nashville. The town administrator for Tenafly, New Jersey, Robert Miller also lost his life in the crash. There were also several students from the Montoursville Area High School French Club on the flight (via PennLive.) A student from the school said that his peers "were the kind of kids that everybody liked."
The local community was left shattered after news of the crash spread and they mourned collectively at the Montoursville Area High School. A pastor told mourners to allow themselves to feel what they needed to feel. He said, "Don't be afraid to cry."
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