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Town of Gander

AUG 27 |

PHONE: (709) 651-2930
FAX: (709) 256-2124

P.O. BOX 280

Office of the Mayor
Gander, Newioundland
AV 1W6

SPECIAL MESSAGE
FROM THE MAYOR OF GANDER
DOUGLAS B. SHEPPARD

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My Dear Elected Colleagues:

On the morning of December 12, 1985, the people of Gander, Newfoundiand, the
people of Canada and the United States of America were devastated to learn of the worst
Single air disaster in Canada. it was the Arrow Air Tragedy which claimed tne lives of
256 United States personnel, 248 of which were Soldiers of the 101st Air Borne Division
returning home for Christmas after Serving their tour of duty in the Sini Desert with other
peace keeping forces,

Not fong after this terrible tragedy, | received requests from bereaved families and
other friends to look into the matter of doing something on their behalf in memory of the
lost Soldiers. | immediately formed a committee known as "The 101st Airborne
Committee" who accepted a Proposai from the Masonic Fraternity at Gander to build a
memorial to these lost Soldiers. After a thorough and indepth study, it was
recommended by th) commiittee that a "Living Memorial" be constructed in the form of a
Senior Citizen’s Complex, a magnificent complex with a difference. A Company has been
put in place to proceed with the project, hence the birth of “The Gander Masonic
Memorial Complex ine." which will build the complex to be known as "SAMARITAN .
PLACE’. There will be 200 ultra modern units for Senior Citizens, a Nursing Home having
50 beds, fully equipped with ultra modern facilities and Six very special units to
accommodate visitors who might like to spend a little time. The main feature of this
complex is the Centre Core, beautifully designed and specially dedicated to the memory
of the Soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division of the United States Army.

In order to build this very Special "Living Memorial’, a lot more money than can be
provided locally will be required. The Gander Masonic Memorial Complex, Inc. now has a
program in place, whereby they will be approaching various groups and organizations in
the United States and Canada to seek this financial support. Already a delegation of
Directors has visited some of these groups and organizations in the United States and
Canada such as the bereaved families, Masonic Lodges, Mayors of Municipalities,
personnel at Fort Campbell, as well as officials in Ottawa and at the Pentagon. The
response and support of this project has been overwhelming.

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