Shirley - Saturday, July 17th marked the 14th anniversary of the TWA Flight 800 disaster which took the lives of 230 people. The plane exploded off of the south shore of Long Island just 13 minutes after taking off from JFK International Airport. Many things have changed during the past 14 years; however, one thing has remained constant. Those affected by the crash still meet each year on the point of land closest to the crash site, The TWA Flight 800 International Memorial at Smith point County Park.

Those affected by the crash still meet each year.

This year, more than 300 family members and friends gathered once again by the ocean to remember and pay tribute to them. Many of them travel from as far away as Europe and Australia. Jim Hurd, who lost his son Jamie in the crash said, "It's important for us to get together each year to remember our loved ones. I'm just glad we have this beautiful memorial to come to."

The memorial services began at 8:15 p.m. with a prayer and remembrances and at 8:19 p.m., the time the plane took off from JFK, family members and friends began reading the names of the victims. The last name was read at 8:31 p.m., the time of the crash. Families were then invited to take a white carnation representing their loved one to the water's edge and place it in the ocean, symbolically returning their loved ones back to the ocean that took them 14 years ago. Some families even carved out messages in the sand - "We miss you," read one.

After the memorial services concluded, many of the family members returned to the memorial which was now beautifully lit against the night sky. They paid their final respects to those who were lost before departing for home. They will return next year.

Families have formed the "Friends of the TWA Flight 800 Memorial Committee.

As time passes, the families have found it has become more difficult to attract the donations needed to maintain the operational and maintenance demands of the memorial. With this in mind, prior to the memorial service, the families announced that they have formed the "Friends of the TWA Flight 800 Memorial Committee", a group of local community leaders who have committed to raising funds for the perpetual maintenance of the Memorial and ensure that the beautiful grounds and gardens surrounding it are preserved for years to come.

Walter W. Stockton, CEO of the Independent Group Home Living Program (IGHL), was named by the families to be the chairperson for the committee. "Government funding is always tenuous and we don't want to hold out hope that it will always be there" he said. "Our goal is to raise $1 million by next year, the 15th anniversary of the crash."

Aurelie Becker, who lost her 19-year-old daughter Michelle, said "The families have raised $100,000 for the endowment and we are now asking others to help so we can keep this place of healing reflection for future generations. The memorial not only remembers our loved ones, it stands as a historical tribute to the many men and women who came to our aid in a time of great need."

Donations can be sent to the TWA Flight 800 Memorial Endowment, P.O. Box 1061, Clifton Park, NY 12065.