A new permanent exhibit and garden that pays tribute to the crew and passengers as well the Siouxland response to the 1989 crash of United Airlines Flight 232 is now open at the Mid America Air Museum in Sioux City.
Air Museum Director Larry Finley says he receives weekly questions from visitors about Flight 232 and how local emergency responders helped save 184 lives. “With that type of interest, we felt that it was important for the community that we set up an educational facility. We have a great memorial on the riverfront, and now we will have a great educational center here,” Finley says.
Pam Mickelsen heads the 232 anniversary committee, and says the new outdoor garden will be a place of private reflection at the site where the airliner crash landed following an engine problem. “There’s a line of trees and bushes that is going to grow up to be a great area that is protecting that runway where it hit down. And our guests can go out and reflect — look out across runway two-two,” Mickelsen says. The exhibit and garden were dedicated Friday.
The anniversary events remembering those who died and the survivors are set for next weekend, July 18, 19, and 20th.
(Reporting by Woody Gottburg, KSCJ, Sioux City)