Remembering The Lockerbie Air Disaster (30 Year Anniversary).

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5 жыл бұрын

On the 21st of December 1988, Pan Am flight 103 was blown out of the sky at 19.02pm over the Scottish border town of Lockerbie.
The explosion killed all 243 passengers, 16 crew members and 11 residents of Lockerbie as the plane came down .
That December I travelled down with a group of volunteers from Glasgow to assist the emergency services in a little town I'd never heard of before that night.
30 years later we are have arrived at the 30th Anniversary, and once again I have travelled down to Lockerbie to revisit that little town and most importantly to pay my respects at the memorial garden made to honor the names of those who died on that night.
There has never been a year of my life since when I haven't thought of them, or the devastation that befell that little town.
I have tried all my life since to continue to live a good and decent life. A life and a career choices where I was in positions to help, enable and support others.
The experience of Lockerbie taught me the fragility of life, and yet I acknowledge I'm still human at the end of the day. I'm flawed, I fall short in my attempts at perpetual goodness. I still occasionally take loved ones for granted, as if some feeble attempt to deny the ephemeral nature of this priceless gift we possess called life!
Those of us who were there, have a duty to tell their story, and to keep their memory alive!

Пікірлер: 61

@verthag2937 2 жыл бұрын

I lost my father, he was in the plane. I never went to Lockerbie, but I just watched your video, and I think I will. Thank you for everything.

@DouglasGilgallon 2 жыл бұрын

I am just seeing this comment so please accept my apologies for replying so late. I’m am so very very sorry for your loss. There is much comfort and healing to be found in Lockerbie despite the catastrophic event that happened there to your family and many others. I hope you are able to come over some day. Best Regards to you and yours my friend. Douglas 🙌🏼❤️

@verthag2937 2 жыл бұрын

@@DouglasGilgallon thanks, I just saw your comment. I'll try to catch a plane when the covid situation clears a little.

@barrymontgomery408 7 ай бұрын

It was an appalling act of wickedness from deranged terrorists who killed 270 people delibarately in southern scotland. Your film in and around lockerbie was extremely factual and accurate. R.i.p. to the victms of that horrible fateful event it was grotesque.

@markherdman1179 5 жыл бұрын

Lockerbie is my home town. Glad you made the video so respectful and thanks for your service to the town.

@DouglasGilgallon 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you Mark. I am always appreciative of just how difficult the month of December can be for the towns people of Lockerbie, so I’m really grateful you reached out with such kind words. All the very best to you and yours Mark. Douglas.

@stuartinnes81 4 жыл бұрын

I remember this like it was only yesterday .I was 16 living with my boyfriend at the time looking forward to Christmas in our first home .we cried for the people who would never get to do that and the families whos lives will never be the same again .

@DouglasGilgallon 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for commenting and for your compassion Stuart. Douglas.

@catherinearmstrong7197 Жыл бұрын

I alway's wanted to come to Lockerbie to pay my respects ever since this awful disaster happened and myself and my husband did yesterday 11/08/22 , it was so emotional being there . But so pleased we have , God bless to all of those people who died on that terrible day .

@wildmountainthyme4123 7 ай бұрын

Douglas, thank you so much for your beautiful, respectful video. I think you honored the victims of this horrific tragedy in a lovely way, by taking us around Lockerbie, and by signing the remembrance book. Every year I remember the souls who were tragically taken in such a heartbreaking manner. Tomorrow will mark 35 years. One day, I hope to visit Lockerbie and remember all the victims. God bless them all, and God bless the people of Lockerbie.

@mariaaeschlimann331 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you for posting this. When the news of the disaster came over the radio I was nursing my then 2 month-old son. I clearly remember. My heart goes out to all the people who were affected by this, including you. I never forgot and read some of the books later published by family members of the victims. Let us never forget and always remember the victims. Ria Aeschlimann, Belgium

@DouglasGilgallon 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you Maria for reaching out with your kind comments. How quickly the time flies. We must cherish every moment. Best Regards, Douglas.

@kimberlymarks9108 5 ай бұрын

Douglas, I was a Syracuse student who returned home to the US on the morning flight that day. I lost many people dear to me. I don’t generally comment, but was moved by your reverence and words. Visiting Lockerbie has been one of the most significant parts of my healing process. Thank you for posting.

@DouglasGilgallon 5 ай бұрын

Thank you for taking the time to share your story Kimberly and also for your kind words. I hope life is being good to you.

@BRUTUALTRUTH 5 жыл бұрын

One of the passengers, in the nose section of the aircraft that fell near the church was buried in that graveyard. His wife said he loved Scotland and so was buried there. A sad but beautifully poignant resting place. Wonderful respectful video.

@DouglasGilgallon 5 жыл бұрын

BRUTUALTRUTH thank you for your kind comments and the information also. Best Regards, Douglas.

@BlytheWorld1972 4 жыл бұрын

yes thats true .

@susanjenkins6893 3 жыл бұрын

His name was John Cummock

@zm321 3 жыл бұрын

My father was doing business with Mr Thomas Van Tienhoven at the time of the disaster. He too was travelling in the nose section and is also buried at Tundergarth. RIP.

@ultramutt8278 5 жыл бұрын

You did indeed do the right thing posting this important document, Douglas. Thank you and much respect. I travelled that day on PA99 from Munich to London Heathrow a few hours earlier than the PA103 flight. I still have that flight ticket. Like you, the Lockerbie tragedy has never really left my life.

@DouglasGilgallon 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the positive words Ultramutt. It’s amazing just how many ways this event has touched people. I hope the past 30 years have been good ones for you! Best Regards, Douglas.

@khajiit8221 2 жыл бұрын

Good video thanks for your story. Watching on the 33rd anniversary. I remember the image of the cockpit of the Pan Am 747 plane "Clipper maid of the seas" in the field the most. I was just a kid, watching on the TV. Always stayed with me that image.

@themerchantofengland 5 ай бұрын

Hello. I was a young lad when this awful event happened. Thanks for the upload, was very emotional and respectfully done. God bless them all x.

@WarhammerWings 2 жыл бұрын

The nose cone should have been incorporated into a permanent memorial. Definitely a well done video. :)

@BlytheWorld1972 4 жыл бұрын

a very touching small documentary .

@marshalandar5234 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for making this. I'm 62 years old now, and I live in New York City. I remember this so well, and being it is the 32nd year since. I and a friend had the chance to visit Scotland in the mid-90s, and traveling up the highway from England, we passed the sign that said Lockerbie, and I wanted to stop, but we didn't. I regret that. And on my visit, I fell in love with Scotland, and I fell in love with the people. My hope is to one day return, and when I do I will definitely make Lockerbie a stop. You made a very lovely and respectable video, and I thank you for being there at that time and I'm very glad that you have a family and that you showed your children what happened there. Wishing you, your family, the people of Lockerbie (and the world) Peace and Love. Sincerely, Marsha L.

@DouglasGilgallon 3 жыл бұрын

Hello Marsha, please accept my apologies for just seeing this now. I appreciate you sharing your story and your kind words. I hope you get to come back and visit Scotland some day. Best Wishes, Douglas.

@dean9235 2 жыл бұрын

Thinking of all those affected by the Lockerbie Air Disaster today on the 33rd anniversary of this senseless murder. Praying for peace and justice, love and hope. X

@westaussie965 Жыл бұрын

Justice? That ship has sailed

@BlytheWorld1972 4 жыл бұрын

iv been in this town about 8 years ago and it was beautiful lovely video well done and respected .

@newellgirl 5 жыл бұрын

Great job Douglas..really liked the segment at Tundergarth church..i did notice the signatures (17:05) in the visitors book the family names of Alexia Tsairis from Syracuse University they appear to be Alexia's parents amazingly they were there a week before your family paid a visit in December 2008..it's wonderful that they still pay their respects..that's incredible love & loyalty...she was found here in the field opposite .. Alexia wanted to be a photo journalist..she was in seat 21G alongside her college buddy Sarah Philipps..they both passed away that night..(Sarah was found about a mile away from Alexia)..i was hoping you would have made reference to John Cummock an American, (Seat 3A) and his grave in the church yard..His wife, Mrs Cummock has said that John was very fond of Scotland and felt that because he was located at the cockpit site, she felt, John wouldn't have minded...what a lovely gesture... Shame you couldn't have walked into the opposite field where the iconic cockpit laid to rest in 1988..As to your efforts...it's really important that you document what's going on today at these sites and how society remembers tragedies like this via memorials...just by your simple act of visiting these sites, having a camera on & talking about the places..gives folks like us who are thousands of miles away a really good insight into the locations of the Lockerbie tragedy...We will never forget this accident.. it was terrible..we did think about the families and the heartbreak they must have gone through especially at Christmas....we had a family member in the UK at the time on holidays and we were concerned like thousands of families worldwide about the safety of air travel and were worried that another incident might happen..your emotions are quite logical..flying long haul..thousands of feet in the sky..many of us do it today and then.."There but for the grace of God go I" etc etc...again great job Douglas. and thank you for posting it on the day of the 30th anniversary...it gave us an idea of what the weather and surrounds were like..so many stories..so many angles....btw Tundergarth hasn't changed at all..incredible.....kind regards, Jodie

@DouglasGilgallon 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jodie for the kind words regarding the Vlog, and thank you also for the additional information you spotted in the footage. I am always very interested to hear stories about the lives of those who died that night, It's important in helping us remember they were all living full lives before that life was so cruelly taken away from them. Best Regards, Douglas.

@zm321 7 ай бұрын

The gentleman who was sat in seat 2B, Thomas van Tienhoven, is also buried at Tundergarth. He and my father knew each other through business interests at the time. RIP.

@stevewright7444 3 жыл бұрын

Hi, I've never been to Lockerbie but remember the event on the news. Thanks for posting this video, which you made so respectfully. Its easy to see how much it means to you and how much its stuck with you. Best wishes. Steve

@marlbro-2473 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Douglas.

@PS-ru2ov 7 ай бұрын

Watching this 2 days after the 35th anniversary it was so senseless, them young lives had they had a chance to bloom would have been in their 50s which is still young i took a look at the sycacuse university memorial page online and seeing the innocent youth lost to evil just senseless and horrible..my deepest condolences to the families

@BlytheWorld1972 4 жыл бұрын

what a nice man you are the end part had me in tears rip to all of them on the flight much love and respect to all the good good people of the town who helped out opened there arms to our American friends major respect to the woman of the town who washed all the clothing and flight cases over and over again and got everyone's loved ones possessions back to them .

@DouglasGilgallon 4 жыл бұрын

BlytheWorld1972 thank you for your comments Blythe. Indeed it was extremely touching that folks in the town were able to defer their own shock and loss in those early days and did whatever they could to support the families in America and other countries who had suffered such a catastrophic loss. I am always reminded that there is more good than bad in this world.

@BlytheWorld1972 8 ай бұрын

@@DouglasGilgallon back watching again 3 years later iv been to this lovely town i live in bathgate so only 40 minutes away in the car! :)

@joannelind6682 8 ай бұрын

Bless you sweetheart for sharing you experience in total respect. What you went through 30 years ago as young as you were must have been so traumatic. You mentioned it changed your life forever. I am not from the UK but remember hearing about this tragedy in New Zealand at the time feeling such a loss for not only the town of Lockerbie but all the families and friends of all the rescuers and people on the plane, may their souls forever rest in peace. Douglas thank you for keeping this alive for generations understand and so sorry for the long post. Love and hugs from New Zealand. ❤

@DouglasGilgallon 8 ай бұрын

Thank you Joanne for taking the time to leave such a lovely and heartfelt comment. Greetings from Scotland to you and yours!

@lucyinthesky4682 4 жыл бұрын

You did the right thing in posting this. I was 12 when the air disaster happened. I lived in NYC but my mom was from Manilus, a suburb of Syracuse, my grandparents still lived there. Lockerbie was a huge discussion in my house. My parents wanted us kids to be aware what happened in the world but we couldn't watch footage as it was an abomination. While we know residents of Lockerbie died, we tend to forget the devastation. I lecture on events of the past so people don't forget what the people survived. The people of Lockerbie were suffering their own losses but still went out to do recovery for the air disaster. They fed the searchers, and cleaned their clothes, and cleaned the belongings of victims to give back to the family. That needs to be remembered. You showing us not just a memorial for the lives of Lockerbie that were lost but of the flight as well shows me how deeply affected Lockerbie was. I've cried watching memorials because I see their pain at the loss of so many lives, especially of so many young lives that were on the plane. I thank you for being part of the original search. I'm grateful you've shared this with your daughters as we often shelter our children from the bad. But your showing them the way to love and compassion. It has obviously affected your life by your emotions. But also running your hand over your wife and daughters names in the Remembrance Book shows you do live with memories, even though not there, you have a connection to them by touching a page in a book that brings you to a place in time. Thank you and all those of Lockerbie who (though they don't want the title) are heroes.

@DouglasGilgallon 4 жыл бұрын

Firstly Jen, thank you so very much for your kind and considerate comments. The 21st of December has always been a difficult day for me as it is also my eldest daughters birthday so as I find myself giving thanks for my girl, I’m also conscious of the events of that day and what it means to many families in America and in other countries around the world. In this world today the information we share is often very disposable and I think that this overload has led to a desensitisation amongst many people. Which is all the more reason to take a moment to remember and share through social media that disasters such as Lockerbie are not simply a moment in time from long ago, but a real event that changed peoples lives forever and in some ways contributed to the changes we see in the world we live in today. Your job sounds very interesting and I’m sure your students learn much from you. The fact you picked up so many small details from my vlog tell me a lot about you as a person and as an educator and shaper of minds. Thank you again so very much for taking the time to comments. Blessings to you and your family, Best Regards, Douglas.

@wonjubhoy 11 ай бұрын

I was there last month. It is deeply saddening as it brings back tragic memories of December 1988.

@mercedesblack7828 3 жыл бұрын

Hello, from England. A very informative documentary. Thank you. It is apparent how much it means to you also. I understand the Lockerbie case is currently going through a motion of redress in regards to the accused and new evidence. However, one thing that will never change is the huge loss of life and the grief suffered by families from several continents and nations. Regards MB

@DouglasGilgallon 3 жыл бұрын

Apologies for just seeing this now. Thank you so very much for your kind comments. Best Regards, Douglas.

@rpcinematics1672 Жыл бұрын

Such a terrible tragedy to happen.

@healey100austin Жыл бұрын

My connection,I traveled the carriage way time of the crash the night before.

@WickedlyMe328 2 жыл бұрын

I was only 7, but when you hear Pan Am I’m always told about this. Like the Space Shuttle in 86, I don’t recall this on the news. My mom’s work had some one killed on MH17 which was shot down. Not quite the same.

@DouglasGilgallon 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for taking the time to comment. 🙌🏼❤️