Flight 3407 memorial is taking shape

CLARENCE, N.Y. (WIVB) - Workers have begun taking a vision and turning it into a real memorial to the victims of Continental Flight 3407.

For those whose loved ones died in the crash of Flight 3407, this memorial now being created will offer a sense of comfort.

Kathy Johnston said, "It's comforting to know that we have a place to come where they all died here together and we're all together with them here."

Those who perished included 49 passengers, one of whom was pregnant, and Doug Wielinski, who died in his home. The memorial will have 51 stepping stones, a bench, and the names of those who perished.

Justine Krasuski said, "It's just a special place that we go quietly by ourselves and reminisce and just think about them knowing this is the last place that they were."

The wing-shaped memorial, the size of the plane, will be lined with 12 pear trees to signify the crash date: February 12, 2009. A Crimson King Maple tree will be in memory of Doug Wielinski. Doug's brother was moved to tears thinking about it.

William Wielinski said, "He loved his family, just loved his kids. We just married the last daughter last Saturday, and he loved every one of them."

Mike Powers of Remember Flight 3407, Inc. said, "The house was essentially right here, where you've got the bump out."

Powers, who is helping to oversee the project, points out the cut in the wing represents the front of the Wielinski home. That was important element for Karen, who escaped the crash site with her daughter, Jill.

"When I came and saw that outline on the ground, it was like, "Oh my gosh." I could see it, see each room, the porch, the living room, the den, I mean it just meant so much to me," said Karen.

Clarence Town Supervisor Scott Bylewski said most of the neighbors who live near the crash site are accepting of the memorial. It blends in, he said, with the neighborhood.