CLARENCE CENTER, N.Y. — Every day for the past 15 years has been hard for the families of the victims of the Flight 3407 crash.
But for Marilyn and John Kausner — and 49 other families — Monday was especially difficult.
“You just cannot help on a day like this to reflect,” Marilyn said.
Monday was the day they were reminded of what they lost.
Fifteen years ago, Continental Connection Flight 3407 crashed in Clarence Center, killing all 49 on board and one in the house that once stood.
Among the passengers was Marilyn and John’s daughter Ellie — a 24-year-old law student who loved the beach and having breakfast with her dad.
“You walked into a room with her, and you’d fall in love with her,” John said. “Don't take for granted those that you love that are in your life. Let them know you love them.”
Monday night, in the very spot where it happened 15 years ago, the Kausners joined alongside the other Flight 3407 families gathered to remember the death of their loved ones — which an investigation found was due to pilot error.
But Monday was not just about remembering. It was about change and the way that the families have fought in Washington for the past 15 years, pushing the FAA to introduce stricter pilot guidelines and require all pilots go through 1,500 hours of flight training before flying a commercial passenger aircraft.
“We can stand here, 15 years and not a single plane crash in the United States of America because you guys,” John said.
So as hard as Monday was, in some ways it was easier, as the families remembered the difference they’ve made.
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