PHOTOS: Family members of the 228 passengers and crew members killed in the 1997 Korean Airlines Flight 801 disaster gathered atop Nimitz Hill Wednesday morning to memorialize the 28th anniversary of the fiery crash. Mourners gathered in the shadow of a black obelisk monument erected on the rise where KAL 801 struck Nimitz Hill in the early morning hours of Aug. 6, 1997.
Wreaths and South Korean flags were laid atop the monument, before a prayer service, in English and Korean, was held for those who perished. โ28 years ago, how can we forget? We cannot forget. Please do not forget. It’s not only because my brother passed away, it’s all the victims’ families,โ said memorial organizer Ina Lee, who lost her youngest brother, Kwi Young Cho, in the crash. Lee was joined by her late brotherโs wife, Sara Cho, and children Eric and Erika Cho, who were both under 2 years old when Kwi Young Cho died.
As mourners stood atop Nimitz Hill, other family members in South Korea would host their own ceremony at another small monument for the crash, according to Lee. She said she had immigrated to Guam in 1982, and their family had been poor. Lee was one of two girls, and her brother was one of seven boys. The first thing her mom fed her was Spam, she said. โI cannot show my heart open up to you and show how thankful I am with you guys to share with us today, joining our ceremony,โ Lee told those gathered for the memorial service.
