Here's another heroine whose story deserves to be retold, who lived a life of service and died in the Potomac on her way to becoming a professor at Howard:
You've just given me the gift of learning about Arland Williams for the very first time. I was a law student at Harvard when Air Florida went down in 1982, and like you I hoped some people might survive in the Potomac this time. I had heard of heroes who swam from shore to rescue the Air Florida survivors, but did not know of Arland Williams, much less that a span of the 14th St. bridge I have driven over hundreds of times was named for him. This is the gift of the bard, to make heroes live forever, and I am so grateful to you for telling his story yet again.
Now I'm crying. What a beautiful post about a beautiful human. Especially in dark times, it's so important to remember the beautiful humans, the ones who help others, even when it's hard. And Arland Williams gave his life helping others. Thank you for sharing 🖤
This was so beautiful and so what I needed, thank you. I'm a proud second-generation Washingtonian, my mom was a teenager during the 14h Street bridge crash, which was also on her mind the other night. I'm still in shock. I, too, felt the symbolism of this tragedy deeply. My mom's worked for the government for 35 years. The past few days have felt surreal. I'm in the midst of revising my debut novel which is a DC novel at its core and which is, absurdly, set this year. I couldn't believe that in the chapter I was working on the night before the crash, my protagonist was at National Airport, and a few chapters later, she's walking along the Potomac. Overwhelmed doesn't even begin to describe the feeling. But your piece is a comfort <3
What a beautiful piece in a week of such tragedy and chaos. My mom worked for Air Florida in 1982; I was just a teenager, but it made such an impact although I did not know this story. As a former DC dweller (24 years) who spent many a sunny afternoon at Gravelly Point Park watching the planes come in, reading about Arland Williams makes me feel hope for humanity. Your writing is lovely.
This is really inspiring. I lived in DC for 7 years and I never heard this story. But I have read Roger Rosenblatt’s work and I love him. Thank you for sharing this!
Thanks for the reminder. Sadly, I had for gotten this story until you shared it.
I was in my mid-twenties when that flight went down. Each day I drove past the site on my way to work, from Old Town to Georgetown and then back again each evening. I think it took a week to retrieve all the bodies and what will always stay with me is driving past the part of the river, just north of the bridge, knowing people were still down there, in the dark, under the water. It was haunting. From what I recall, the baby was the last body the divers recovered. For anyone who was in the area at that time, this has been a triggering event. It helps to be reminded of Mr Williams courage and selflessness.
The post we all needed in this water. Thank you💙
Here's another heroine whose story deserves to be retold, who lived a life of service and died in the Potomac on her way to becoming a professor at Howard:
https://hls.harvard.edu/today/kiah-was-all-light/
Woof.
You've just given me the gift of learning about Arland Williams for the very first time. I was a law student at Harvard when Air Florida went down in 1982, and like you I hoped some people might survive in the Potomac this time. I had heard of heroes who swam from shore to rescue the Air Florida survivors, but did not know of Arland Williams, much less that a span of the 14th St. bridge I have driven over hundreds of times was named for him. This is the gift of the bard, to make heroes live forever, and I am so grateful to you for telling his story yet again.
I am lying in bed in a kind of despair. And this got me out of bed. Thank you, @Anna. there is work to be done and role models.
Now I'm crying. What a beautiful post about a beautiful human. Especially in dark times, it's so important to remember the beautiful humans, the ones who help others, even when it's hard. And Arland Williams gave his life helping others. Thank you for sharing 🖤
The most beautiful thing I’ve read in a while.
Grieving, and inspired, at the same time. Thank you.
This was so beautiful and so what I needed, thank you. I'm a proud second-generation Washingtonian, my mom was a teenager during the 14h Street bridge crash, which was also on her mind the other night. I'm still in shock. I, too, felt the symbolism of this tragedy deeply. My mom's worked for the government for 35 years. The past few days have felt surreal. I'm in the midst of revising my debut novel which is a DC novel at its core and which is, absurdly, set this year. I couldn't believe that in the chapter I was working on the night before the crash, my protagonist was at National Airport, and a few chapters later, she's walking along the Potomac. Overwhelmed doesn't even begin to describe the feeling. But your piece is a comfort <3
The post I needed. Thank you. ❤️
Damn, this is a powerful story. Powerful in and of itself, and powerfully told.
Thank you for this timely parable… so relevant and poignant.
What a beautiful piece in a week of such tragedy and chaos. My mom worked for Air Florida in 1982; I was just a teenager, but it made such an impact although I did not know this story. As a former DC dweller (24 years) who spent many a sunny afternoon at Gravelly Point Park watching the planes come in, reading about Arland Williams makes me feel hope for humanity. Your writing is lovely.
Thank you for this beautiful piece and the link to Rosenblatt’s equally beautiful essay.
This is really inspiring. I lived in DC for 7 years and I never heard this story. But I have read Roger Rosenblatt’s work and I love him. Thank you for sharing this!
And, now, my eyes are filling. Thank you for this moving piece — I did not know Arland’s story and now I’m so glad I do.
Thanks for the reminder. Sadly, I had for gotten this story until you shared it.
I was in my mid-twenties when that flight went down. Each day I drove past the site on my way to work, from Old Town to Georgetown and then back again each evening. I think it took a week to retrieve all the bodies and what will always stay with me is driving past the part of the river, just north of the bridge, knowing people were still down there, in the dark, under the water. It was haunting. From what I recall, the baby was the last body the divers recovered. For anyone who was in the area at that time, this has been a triggering event. It helps to be reminded of Mr Williams courage and selflessness.