Memorial wreath to mark 54th anniversary in Unionville

Sandy and Duane Crawford were kind enough to arrange a wreath to be displayed at the memorial stone site in the centre of Unionville to mark the 54th anniversary on May 22. Such a kind and beautiful gesture to honour those passengers and crew whose lives were horribly cut short on May 22 1962.

Missouri aviation historical society

The Missouri aviation historical society was good enough to place a message about the 54th anniversary of Continental Airlines Flight 11 on their Facebook page. The society seeks to preserve the role aviation has played in Missouri since the dawn of powered flight.

54th anniversary

This May 22nd marks the 54th anniversary of Continental Airlines Flight 11 and it's tragic end in a Missouri field just north west of Unionville, MO.

This blog continues to honor the memory of those innocent souls aboard the Boeing 707 and their lives which were tragically and ruthlessly cut short

March in Unionville.

I was heartened to read of the visit of the daughter of Freddie Gray,Captain of Flight 11 in March. Fredianne Gray and I have corresponded in the past and she finally made the trip to Unionville on March 21st. She visited the museum and crash site. Naturally it sounds as if she was given the usual VVIP treatment from the folks there. I am glad she got to see the area. She is a very special lady and sadly never knew her father before he set off on Flight 11. My continued gratitude to Duane Crawford for continuing to be the "go-to" contact in Unionville. As the years go by I'm certain more people will trickle on through to see where there loved ones perished all those years ago.

53rd anniversary

This May 22nd marks the 53rd anniversary of the downing of Continental Airlines Flight 11.

 - LEST WE FORGET

Tis the Season!

It is that time of year again when one reflects on what has passed, particularly after the hype of Christmas has died off a little and we are faced with the prospect of ringing in a new year.

It is hard to believe that over two and a half years ago I flew to Unionville, Missouri to see the crash site of Flight 11 first-hand and also to meet people like Duane Crawford and Ronnie Cook face to face. Where has that time gone!?

Since then I have journeyed back to the USA every year as more information has come to light about Flight 11. I have met more people, connected more families and "joined the dots" in a lot of different ways. And of course all this from a blog started WAY back in 2007.

This year I had the pleasure of meeting with Kathryn Hamilton of the Hamilton family whose father was board the ill-fated flight in 1962. While over in the United States and in fact walking around Hollywood in California I answered my mobile phone on a beautiful hot day to find my future employer eagerly on the phone offering me a job at the national carrier of New Zealand.

I accepted and signed the papers when I returned to Auckland in late June. I have not looked back since then and working in aviation is an absolute delight; like the icing on the cake, especially for someone so involved with aviation as I was in a personal manner.

With all that aside I wish all the Flight 11 "family" a very Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.

Former Continental Staff circa 1950s/1960s

It has come to my attention over the years of my experiences with Flight 11 that a number of former Continental employees have reunited via this blog and the events surrounding Flight 11 memorial services over the last few years.

Not only this but it has also brought about a number of ex crew (who in some cases were colleagues of the victims of Flight 11) to enquire as to where they may be able to go to post old stories and memories in an open-style "forum."

I have thought about the feasibility of starting an ancillary blog for these former employees of the day to come forward and share any stories they have, Flight 11 related or not.

If anyone is interested in this or knows anyone with a similar site do let me know as it is something I may start merely as an open-post "wall" if you will for people to put their memories out there.

In keeping with the Flight 11 theme however I would keep it strictly from that era... any thoughts or directions from anyone would be greatly appreciated in this matter. I know many of you have often asked "I wonder whatever happened to so and so...". I'm sure we could unravel a few more mysteries of the day

:-)

The Continental Eagle Staff Magazine - Captain Fred Gray - December, 1950

I received a Continental Airlines internal company publication detailing the end of year activities of Continental Airlines. It is dated December 1950.

The pages contain a fascinating snapshot into life at Continental when it was still a "growing-up" airline. The close-knit Continental "family" appear on the pages at various social events the airline held for its employees. Technological and aviation advances are also mentioned along with the company's latest exploits.

Of particular note on one of the pages is a picture of none other than Captain Fred Gray who would pilot the ill-fated Flight 11 some twelve years later.

Here is the excerpt from the magazine below.

Magazine courtesy of Ms Jayne Specht.

52 years - Lest We Forget - Continental Airlines Flight 11

Th 52nd anniversary of Continental Airlines Flight 11 is approaching. May 22nd marks the date when 44 innocent lives were taken out of this world as they hurtled across the dark skies of rural America and ended near the town of Unionville, Missouri.

Two years ago we marked the 50th anniversary and it feels just like the other day I was in Unionville over that hot memorial weekend in 2012.

Although May 22nd may bring a rollercoaster of emotions to do with the senseless loss of the Boeing 707 and the souls on board, may it also bring a flicker of closure and peace knowing that this event has not been forgotten. Neither have the people on board whose lives were cut so short.

Continental Airlines Flight 11 - Lest We Forget.

Captain Richard Grigsby, Continental Airlines

Following on from the aftermath of Flight 11, a friend and colleague of Captain Fred Gray had written a poem called "Top O Climb". The poem was published in The Denver Post in 62 by Captain Richard Grigsby. Grigsby had a distinguished and long flying career. I had made efforts to contact him to see if he was still alive to perhaps capture his memories of Captain Gray and the other crew aboard Flight 11. Sadly I found Mr Grigsby's obituary dated February 5th 2014. I hope he was aware of our efforts re Flight 11. His lovely poem dedicated to Fred Gray is as follows: (unfortunately we haven't ever confirmed the original date of publication but it was some time shortly after May 22nd, 1962)

TOP O' CLIMB

The big jet starts to roll reluctantly,

For flight ahead is long and there is fuel

Which must be burdened, else

It cannot be.

That cunning will be victor in the duel

With Time and Space.

What power it takes to lift away from ground-

To blast such heavy burden into flight!

A thousand banshees couldn't wail the sound,

A thousand winged horses match the might of this great bird!

Her climb is rapid, now that speed is gained.

She flashes upward, forward, winning free;

But still the awful power must be sustained

To lift her into Nature's rarest sea

Far, in the sky.

At top o'climb, the battle all but won,

She settles down, her only labor just

To cruise a close companion to the sun.

Before she drops her power to "idle thrust",

Descends the other side.

RICHARD S. GRIGSBY

Capt. Continental Air Lines