Brenda Murphy: Remembering the 101st soldiers lost in Ky. on Dec. 12

On Dec. 12, 1985, 248 soldiers from the 101st in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, were on their way home for Christmas from the Sinai, Egypt. They were on a six-month peacekeeping mission. Shortly after takeoff from Gander, Newfoundland, their plane crashed, killing all 248 soldiers and 8 crew members.

This year marks 34 years since this tragic day where so many lives were lost. To honor these soldiers, there is a beautiful stone memorial at Fort Campbell and 256 Canadian maple trees, donated by the people of Canada, planted in a grove with a plaque placed at the base of each tree with the names of those who died.