Today we gather to discuss the tragic plane crash that occurred in Fort Smith. Our hearts go out to the six individuals who lost their lives in this devastating accident, as well as the injured and the many grieving individuals affected by this event. In a small community, tragedy becomes personal and intimate. It permeates through the wounds and traumas of those who have lost loved ones, intertwining itself into the very fabric of the community's history. Losing a loved one is an incredibly difficult ordeal, one that unfortunately is all too common and often impossible to fully overcome. In a small town, the loss of one person is a tragedy for the entire community. Everyone is connected, whether through proximity, name, or face. Everyone knows someone who knows the person gone too soon. The eleven passengers and six victims are not anonymous, and they should never be. Our thoughts go out to the families and loved ones of those who have gone, in hopes that they may find healing in the midst of this heartbreaking time.