? ? ^ ? ? U J Q P C " H K V \ D [ F G U K I P E C ^ Y Y Y H K V \ D [ F G U K I P E C Time is Precious, Mistakes are Costly and Decorating is complicated. Inquire about your Personal Design Consultation Renovate Decorate Celebrate 5 J Q P C ( K V \ I G T C N F At Fitz by Design we are committed to creating breathtaking, functional spaces that are unique as the individuals living in them. 5 Friday , D ecem ber 10, 2010 O A KVILLE BEA V ER w w w .o akvillebeaver .co m general even giving her his two-star cap. The thing I remember most was having the privilege of talking to fam- ilies, who had just lost a son or a brother, said Nikkel. I didnt know them personally, but they would put their arms around me and just weep on my shoulder. Here I was 16 years old and just feel- ing their grief in a way I could never imagine. Up to that time I hadnt lost anyone close to me besides grandpar- ents and thats the right order. Its not the right order when the person lost is 18 or 19 years old. For her work in rallying so many people behind her idea of creating the living memorial, Nikkel received let- ters from both U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. The news of the crash and the loss of 248 lives brought sorrow to the hearts of Americans and Canadians alike. Your suggestion to plant a for- est with maple trees at Fort Campbell, Kentucky-base for the 101st Airborne Division-is certainly to be commend- ed, said Mulroney in his letter. Not only will the forest stand as a memorial to the men and women who lost their lives in this tragedy, but it will also serve to remind us all of the need to continue their mission of peace. The concern shown for our fel- low global citizens by young people such as yourself, fills me with confi- dence that Canadas future will lie in compassionate and understanding hands. Nikkel found emotions surround- ing the memorial she helped create are still very strong 25 years later. During a trip to the United States this past summer, Nikkel and her family decided to stop by Fort Campbell to see how the trees have grown. Nikkel said she received an amaz- ing reaction from the guard when she told her she was behind the idea to create a living memorial to the bases 248 fallen soldiers. She dropped her pen and got kind of teary eyed and she said, My cousin was on that flight and not a day goes by when I dont drive by those trees and think about my cousin. Thank you for doing that, said Nikkel. I was amazed because heres somebody 25 years later that these trees are still having an impact on. It just blew me away, It got me teary eyed because 25 years later my life has gone on. Ive had four kids and Ive told my kids this story, but here it was right in front of them, the impact of something that I had been apart of still being felt. That was quite impact- ing for me as a mom because you want to pass on to your kids the idea of giving back. Nikkel said when she had last seen the trees they were tiny things being held up by sticks and string. Those tiny things have since matured into a green forest. Small American flags have been placed at the base of each tree, which bear plaques listing the names of each fallen soldier. This Dec. 12, Fort Campbell will mark the 25th anniversary of the deaths of their 248 soldiers. No doubt the living memorial envisioned by a 15-year-old Oakville girl will play an important part in this time of remembrance. Emotional return to Fort Campbell memorial Continued from page 4 SUPPLIED PHOTOS LIVING MEMORIAL: The memorial at Fort Campbell, Kentucky (left) shortly after trees were planted to honour the 248 soldiers and eight crew members killed when their plane crashed after refueling in Gander, Newfoundland in 1985. Janice Nikkel and her family (right) stand in front of the 248 trees that have grown into a liv- ing memorial.