I would like to thank all of the people that handled our loved ones with so much care. Thank you Chris for your memory and all you did during the accident. I know that it has been tough on you and will always be with you. We never know how things will impact us. My three sons and myself are devastated still and we miss him so much. Only through the grace of God have we been able to get through this. Knowing that he is in our Fathers presence and knowing that he is so much better off than we are is what gets me by. Again, I just want to thank Surry County and all the volunteers that helped. Wesley thought so much of each one on board and they were not only business associates but true friends. And I pray that each family member is blessed with comfort through God. I know I will never have the priveledge of knowing anyone as great of a husband and dad as Wesley Rakestraw. In Christ, Sharon Rakestraw

TIME HAS GONE BY,IM A FIREMAN WHO WAS CALLED TO THE PLANE CRASH,I MY SELF HELPED AS THE MEN WERE BROUGHT FROM THE PLANE, MY HEART GOES OUT TO ALL OF THE FAMILYS,THIS WILL STAY IN MY MIND FIR THE REST OF MY LIFE

Billie Jo Gunter

15 years ago

Chris, This goes out to you and all of those who helped. Thank You..I know it must have been difficult and that those images will stay with you always. I am a nurse and have tried to revive numerous patients. What we must understand is that God gives and takes away...he puts us there because he knows we will always do our best... This year has been tough. Tony was my best friend and soul mate. We knew each other all of our lives. Our children lost their father and our granddaughter will never feel his magnificant presence. My son, daughter and I will visit the site this Feb 1st for the first time. We have kept all of you in our prayers and are thankful to all of you for the jobs you do and the for the tender care you showed to our Tony and our friends. God Bless you and yours,

Frank Ruggiero will forever be my Uncle and Godfather. He was a tremendous influence on his family and friends and will forever be missed. On behalf of his entire family, our hearts go out to all the men aboard this flight and their families. God Bless you all.

Steve Simpson is my cousin, and he will be missed by all that have been blessed to have met him. We didn't get to see him as often as we would like but he has always been in our hearts. I remember all of the summers we spent together and will cherish all the wonderful memories.

Yesterday they were remembered as "Republicans, Businessmen, Commissioners and Political Supporters". Most importantly today let's remember them as "Fathers, Husbands, Sons and Friends."

My heart, prayers and support goes out to the families of John Wesley Rakestraw, Steve Simpson and Hal Echols. They did so many wonderful things for Paulding County. God bless them and their families.