Victims' loved ones finish journey

CLARENCE, N.Y. (WIVB) - Flight 3407 victims' loved ones joined with hundreds of others Friday morning, to finish the journey that was cut short for loved ones aboard the plane.

The half-way mark at West Herr has a sign that talks about completing the journey. But relatives who are closest to the tragedy tell News 4, the journey continues long after the walk is over.

Their journeys began on year ago.

Scott Maurer, who lost his daughter in the crash, said, "I'll never get to walk my daughter down the aisle, it pains me, I don't want to look at another father in a situation like I'm in."

For Scott Maurer, these last 12 months, a nightmare. His daughter Lauren is one of the 50 people remembered in Friday's 10-mile memorial walk from the crash scene, to the airport.

Maurer said, "We walk to honor our loved ones, but we're marching for a cause in aviation safety change."

John Kausner is another Dad, forced to bury his daughter Ellyce. To everyone watching and listening, his message is simple, "Fix what killed our family, that's what our goal is."

Through the tears, the grieving and the pain of knowing this tragedy was preventable, came progress. This small community outside of Buffalo has been working hard to pass legislation that would increase airline safety.

Miracle on the Hudson co-pilot Jeff Skiles joined the courageous families for the walk. "Their trying to change this industry to make sure that this tragedy never is visited on anybody else or their loved ones, in this town, in this country, in this world," Skiles said.

When flight 3407 crashed in Clarence Center, the nation paused in disbelief. Once again, we pause to remember those amazing mothers, fathers, daughters and sons, whose lives mark the beginning of a never-ending journey, that is sure to bring about change.

John Kausner said, "Lets say we can fly fairly safetly, lets take the untrained, tired, unqualified pilots out of the cockpit and train them, and make a better system, that's what the goal is."