Local resident Ruth Peterson’s desire to build a rock cairn at 100 Mile House Airport as a memorial to the 52 people, who lost their lives in a tragic plane crash near 100 Mile nearly 48 years ago, is coming closer to fruition.
The Canadian Pacific Air Lines Flight 21 was flying from Vancouver to Whitehorse on July 8, 1965 when it crashed near Dog Creek, about 40 kilometres west of 100 Mile House. All of the 46 passengers and six crew members perished in the fiery crash.
Last year, Peterson and her husband, Barry, travelled to Dog Creek where the remnants of the Douglas DC-CB remain scattered around the crash site.
After the experience, Peterson says she thought it would be easier for surviving family members to visit a cairn at the local airport, so they could have a moment to reflect on their loved ones without having to travel to the crash site.
On March 12, District of 100 Mile House council approved the location and the design of the monument.
However, the site was encroaching on Spectra Energy’s pipeline right-of-way, so Peterson proposed a new location on the south side of Airport Road. Although it is within 30 metres of the right-of-way, no mechanical excavation is required, so a Spectra permit isn’t required.
At its April 23 meeting, council rescinded its March 12 approval, and unanimously passed a resolution to approve the new location and design for the monument to Flight 21.
With the District’s approval of the new location, work is currently underway to construct the monument.
Peterson says she was very pleased to see the base was built, as it is sign that the monument project is actually going to happen.
As far as having to go back to the drawing board to relocate the monument site, she says it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
“I'm so much happier with the new location. The marsh in the background is a perfect setting for the monument."
Retired stone mason Nigel Pearce is donating his services for the cairn, and Peterson says she hopes he will be able to work on the monument now that the weather has warmed up.
“I did not ask him to donate his services; he told me he would only take on the project if he could do it for free.”
Pearce says he will work on it this week, but leaves for a job next week and will work on it off and on as time permits.
Peterson adds Ken Greenall installed the base for free. He will return to place the plaque when it arrives.
“It's all a testament to the generosity of our community.”
While she isn’t certain where the fundraising tally stands at this time, Peterson says the group she is working with received a $1,000 donation from a man who lost both of his parents on Flight 21.
“He lives in Buffalo, New York, so it amazed me how far-reaching the story has been. He was here in 2000 but was unable to find the crash site and has never been there.
“It really drove home the importance of the monument for me.”
Peterson adds she has also received many e-mails regarding the recovery efforts. It has prompted her to plan for a second, free-standing plaque that she hopes to be in place next year.
“That plaque will touch on the actual event, as well as recognize the heroic efforts of the residents of 100 Mile House and area.”
She says the group is now at a point where it needs to decide if it’s in a position to order the plaque. It requires a minimum of four weeks to have made and shipped.
Peterson says she has sent out some fundraising letters to local businesses and service groups and she is optimistic they will meet some success.
Meanwhile, donations can be made directly to the District of 100 Mile House (Flight 21 monument) or Peterson can be reached at brpeters@telus.net for further information.