Pan Am Flight 103/Lockerbie Air Disaster Archives at Syracuse University

This month’s Pan Am 103 Archives tribute honors Anne Madelene and Loretta Anne Gorgacz, and Linda Susan Gordon-Gorgacz. Anne and her daughters were returning home to New Castle, Pennsylvania after a visit in London, where Linda had been working for the Disney Corporation. All three women were members of St. Mary’s Church in New Castle, where they were fondly remembered by family and friends in a memorial mass. In addition to being active in her parish community, Anne was a homemaker. Her elder daughter, Loretta, was employed as a processor for Airway Industries, Inc. We remember Anne, Loretta, Linda, and all the victims.

This month’s Pan Am 103 Archives tribute honors Olive Leonora Gordon. Born in the United Kingdom and raised in Jamaica, Olive had recently returned to settle down in London with her young daughter. She dreamed of working in the beauty industry and had recently finished a course in hairdressing. On December 21, 1988, Olive was travelling to New York City for a surprise holiday shopping trip. She is remembered by loved ones as a pleasant and popular young woman who loved dancing, traveling, and meeting new people. We remember Olive, and all the victims.

This month’s Pan Am 103 Archives tribute honors Andrew Christopher Gillies-Wright. A graduate of Lancing College School and Birmingham University, Andrew worked as a site agent overseeing the transformation of architects’ drawings into actual buildings. He enjoyed traveling and had returned to the United Kingdom in June 1988 after spending a year in Australia. Andrew’s travel goal was to see the United States, Canada, and South America. In addition to his pride in his work and his love of travel, he was also a talented musician and linguist. We remember Andrew, and all the victims.

This Thursday, April 18, join the Victims of Pan Am Flight 103, Inc for the final event of their 2023-2024 Legacy Scholarship Speaker Series when Pan Am 103 Archivist and Assistant Univeristy Archivist Vanessa St.Oegger-Menn will discuss "Trauma-Affiliated and Trauma-Informed Archives." Event details and registration information are available in the shared post, below.

Join us for the final event in the 2023-2024 Victims of Pan Am Flight 103, Inc. Legacy Scholarship Speaker Series.

Vanessa St.Oegger-Menn, the Pan Am 103 Archivist and Assistant University Archivist at Syracuse University will speak about Trauma-Affiliated and Trauma-Informed Archives on Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 7 pm.

This event will be broadcast live on Zoom. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link. Register in advance for this meeting at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIqduitpjsoGNQnQY4Ctvme50_hzVYr_ITx

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the presentation.

Vanessa St.Oegger-Menn is the Pan Am 103 Archivist and Assistant University Archivist at Syracuse University Libraries’ Special Collections Research Center. She holds an MA in 20th-Century British Literature from California State University Long Beach and earned her Masters of Library and Information Science with a concentration in archives and cultural heritage preservation from Syracuse University’s iSchool. Vanessa served on the Society of American Archivists’ Tragedy Response Initiative Task Force from 2018 to 2020, and has been an inaugural co-chair of SAA’s Crisis, Disaster, and Tragedy Response Working Group since 2021. In addition to her archival work, she is an advisor to the Remembrance and Lockerbie Scholars at Syracuse University.

For more information about VPAF 103, Inc. and the VPAF103 Legacy Scholarship Award, go to https://www.victimsofpanamflight103.org

This month’s Pan Am 103 Archives tribute honors William David Giebler, Jr. A successful government bond broker for the London Division of Fundamental Brokers, Inc., J.R. and his wife Wendy had been living in London temporarily. On December 21, he was flying home to the U.S. to join her and their family for the Christmas holiday. J.R. is remembered by friends and family for his “enormous capacity to give love and [warm] the hearts of anyone who came into contact with him.” He was an avid athlete, a natural leader, and a well-respected colleague with a zest for life. The William David Giebler, Jr. Personal Effects, including J.R.’s Notre Dame football cap, were generously donated to the Archives by Wendy. We remember J.R., and all the victims.

Congratulations to the newly-named 2024-25 Lockerbie Scholars, Anna Newbould and Cameron Colville! They'll join the upcoming cohort of Syracuse University Pan Am 103 Remembrance Scholars this coming fall. From the Pan Am Flight 103 Archives, welcome to the Remembrance community, Anna and Cameron!

Here they are…our Syracuse Scholars 2024-2025. Huge congratulations to Anna Newbould and former pupil Cameron Colville. We look forward to being part of your journey next session.
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The Pan Am Flight 103/Lockerbie Air Disaster Archives is pleased to announce the launch of a digital version of “We Remember Them: The Legacy of Pan Am Flight 103,” which began as a physical exhibition curated by Pan Am 103 Archivist and Assistant University Archivist Vanessa St.Oegger-Menn for the 30th anniversary of the disaster in 2018. The exhibition explores the many ways in which the 270 victims of the Pan Am 103 bombing have been remembered by their families, friends, and communities, including through activism, public memorials, and the arts. The digital exhibition can be viewed at the link, below.

We Remember Them: The Legacy of Pan Am Flight 103 Introduction The Longest Night The Investigation Personal Effects The Trial at Kamp van Zeist Hand in Hand “The Truth Must Be Known” “Look Back, Act Forward” In this Place Garden of Remembrance and Remembrance Room Place of Remembrance Lockerbie Cairn at Arlington National Cemetery Artistic ...

This month’s Pan Am 103 Archives tribute honors Kenneth James Gibson. An Army Specialist stationed in Germany, James was returning to his hometown of Romulus, Michigan for Christmas after 18 months abroad. He was posthumously awarded the Army Commendation Medal and the Purple Heart for “wounds received in action.” We remember James, and all the victims.

There are just a few more days left to visit our 35th anniversary exhibition, "In Pursuit Justice: Pan Am Flight 103." The exhibition will be open to the public during the Special Collections Research Center's regular hours through next Tuesday, February 20. Visit us Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm and Wednesday, 9am-7pm on the 6th floor of Bird Library on the main SU campus.

This month’s Pan Am 103 Archives tribute honors Paul Isaac Garrett. A member of Flight 103’s crew, Paul began his career with Pan Am in 1973. Originally based in London, he’d transferred to San Francisco in 1978 before returning to the airline’s London base in February 1988. Upon returning to Europe, Paul also opened a fashion boutique in Paris. He was remembered by colleagues for his professionalism, poise, and calm demeanor. We remember Paul, and all the victims.

Upcoming event: The University of Rochester River Campus Libraries and Department of History will host "Pan Am Flight 103: 35 Years Still Fighting for Justice" with Washington, D.C. national security attorney Mark S. Zaid on Wednesday, January 31, 5:30-7pm ET. Zaid's talk will be held both in-person and virtually. Learn more about the event and register at the link below.

Pan Am Flight 103: 35 Years Still Fighting for Justice This past December 21, 2023 marked the 35th anniversary of the terrorist bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over the skies of Lockerbie Scotland. In all, 270 innocent lives were lost, including two members of the University of Rochester's class of 1990.  Washington, D.C. national security attorney Mark S...

Today marks the 35th anniversary of the memorial service for Syracuse University's 35 study abroad students killed in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. Held in the University's Carrier Dome, the service was attended by over 14,000 people. University offices were closed and classes were canceled for the duration of the service. Senators Alfonse D'Amato and Daniel Moynihan, New York Governor Mario Cuomo, and Syracuse Mayor Thomas Young offered remarks. At this service, Chancellor Melvin Eggers announced the creation of the Remembrance Scholars program, as well as the University's plan to construct the permanent physical memorial we now know as the Place of Remembrance. "There will be memorials of other kinds," Eggers stated, "in our striving to be an ever more humane institution and in our working, in the time left to us, to make our contribution toward a better world." This photograph of the service comes from the University Archives' Photo and Imaging Collection.

This month’s Pan Am 103 Archives tribute honors Kenneth Raymond Garczynski. Born and raised in Great Neck, New York, Ken held a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Pratt University. He’d worked for four years with Whitehall-Boyce International and had recently been promoted to the head of the Manufacturing and Engineering Division where he was admired as much for his professional capabilities as for his kind and humble personality. Ken was flying home to his wife of just five months. “For those of us who knew and loved him, our eyes will never shine as bright as when Kenny was alive,” his brother stated. We remember Ken, and all the victims.

Today marks the 35th anniversary of the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. Ceremonies will be held at Hendricks Chapel at Syracuse University, in Lockerbie, Scotland, and by the Victims of Pan Am Flight 103, Inc at Arlington National Cemetery. On this day, as on every day, we remember all those whose lives were lost, their families, friends, and communities.

This image of the first Syracuse University memorial service held at Hendricks Chapel on December 22nd, 1988 – the day after the tragedy – can be found in the Pan Am 103 Archives’ Pan Am 103 Memorials Collection.

This month's Pan Am 103 Archives tribute honors Matthew Kevin Gannon. A graduate of the University of Southern California, Matt spent his senior year studying abroad in Europe and the Middle East building on his existing interest in Arab culture, religion, and politics. Following a brief career in banking, Matt joined the CIA in May 1977 as a junior Operations Officer. At the time of his death on Pan Am Flight 103, Matt was returning home from a hectic temporary duty assignment in the Middle East to spend Christmas with his family. Matt is remembered as a loving husband and father who was highly esteemed by his colleagues. He is recognized at CIA headquarters among the stars carved into the CIA Memorial Wall. His name was unveiled and added to the Agency's Book of Honor in May 2012. We remember Matt, and all the victims.

This month’s Pan Am 103 Archives tribute honors Amy Beth Gallagher. A recent graduate of Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts, Amy was returning home from three months exploring the British Isles and Europe. A neighbor from her hometown remembered Amy as “the pride and joy of her parents” and “a person who took time for others.” We remember Amy, and all the victims.

This month’s Pan Am 103 Archives tribute honors Ibolya Gabor. Born in 1909 in Budapest, Hungary, Ibolya was traveling to Los Angeles to spend the holidays with her family. Her son Peter recounted that Ibolya had "survived two World Wars, N**i persecution, post-war famine, and communist oppression." Although her sons eventually relocated to the United States, she traveled to visit them each year. On December 21, 1988, Ibolya was originally scheduled to board a different flight. She stopped to help interpret for another Hungarian family, the Rollers. Ibolya and the Rollers were eventually rescheduled onto Pan Am Flight 103. We remember Ibolya, and all the victims.

We’re excited to share a new exhibition curated by Pan Am 103 Archivist Vanessa St. Oegger-Menn! Marking the 35th anniversary of the December 21, 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, In Pursuit of Justice: Pan Am Flight 103 is on display in the 6th floor gallery of Bird Library. Please join us at the opening reception on September 21, from 4:30 to 6 pm, at the Special Collections Research Center on the 6th floor of Bird Library. Congratulations, Vanessa!

This month’s Pan Am 103 Archives tribute honors Miriam Luby Wolfe. A student in Syracuse University's College of Visual and Performing Arts, Miriam was returning from a semester in London. While abroad, she'd continued her studies in dance, dramatic literature, acting, voice, and art history. She'd also completed an internship with London's Kingshead Theatre. Miriam and her friend Theodora Cohen, also a victim of the bombing, had plans to start an experimental theater group with fellow drama students upon returning to Syracuse. She is remembered not just for her talent, but for her warm and generous spirit. Miriam's friends and family recall that "helping people, even strangers, was second nature to her." Her mother, Rosemary Mild, has generously donated the Miriam Luby Wolfe Family Papers, including materials related to Rosemary's two memoirs dedicated to Miriam's enduring legacy, to the Pan Am 103 Archives. We remember Miriam, and all the victims.

This month’s Pan Am 103 Archives tribute honors Paul Stephen Matthew Freeman. Born in London where is father was a successful journalist for Reuters, Paul grew up in his family's home in Ontario, Canada. From a young age, he loved being on stage and began his theatrical career as a magician. During his teenage years he created and toured the successful show "It's Magic!" before pursuing studies in drama and theater in both Canada and England. In addition to his stage roles, Paul was also beginning to make a name for himself in television and movies. He was scheduled to direct his fiancée Sarah Aicher's play "Heaven" in February 1989. The couple were traveling together on board Flight 103. Sarah was honored in our monthly Archives tribute in April 2016. We remember Paul, Sarah, and all the victims.

This month’s Pan Am 103 Archives tribute honors Stacie Denise Franklin. A member of Pan Am 103’s flight crew, Stacie began working for the company in April 1988. She was originally from Phoenix, Arizona, but was working as a flight attendant based in London. Stacie is remembered for her love of life, family, and friends. Her colleagues described her as bringing “tremendous knowledge and competence coupled with grace, sophistication and warmth to her profession.” We remember Stacie, and all the victims.

This month’s Pan Am 103 Archives tribute honors Kesha Weedon. A junior in Syracuse University’s School of Social Work, Kesha spent the fall semester in London and was traveling home with her boyfriend, Timothy Baron Johnson, who had been visiting her in Europe. Kesha’s goal was to work with young children and part of her time abroad was spent working in a nursery. She planned to continue working on a Master’s degree after graduating from Syracuse. Kesha was raised in the Bronx, New York where she was an active member of Youth For Christ and sang in campus and church choirs. In college, she was a member of The Black Celestial Choral Ensemble of Syracuse University and played in the University’s orchestra. We remember Kesha, and all the victims.

We're celebrating Archives' graduate student employee Halsey Van Allen, who will receive their Master's of Library and Information Science from the Syracuse University School of Information Studies this weekend. Halsey has been indispensable here at the Archives, and we're so proud of their achievements! This past summer, Halsey processed the Victims of Pan Am Flight 103, Inc. Collection. You can read their blog post about this experience and the ways in which this important collection will inform future scholarship about the Pan Am 103 disaster and terrorism at the link below.

Victims of Pan Am Flight 103, Inc. Collection This past summer I had the opportunity to process the Victims of Pan Am Flight 103, Inc. (VPAF 103, Inc.) Collection as an intern with the Pan Am Flight 103/Lockerbie Air Disaster Archives at Syracuse University Libraries’ Special Collection Research Center. Pan Am Flight 103 was destroyed by a te...

Congratulations to the new 2023-2024 Remembrance Scholars! This scholarship is one of the highest honors a Syracuse University student can receive. The 35 candidates selected to represent and memorialize those students killed in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 undergo a rigorous and competitive application process. This year’s scholars, as well as 2023-24 Lockerbie Scholars Joshua Halliday and Tristan Woolley, will plan the Remembrance events held at Syracuse University next year.

The Pan Am Flight 103 Archives congratulates each of these outstanding students. We're excited to work with them as they fulfill the promise to "Look Back, Act Forward" in memory of those lost.

University Announces 2023-24 Remembrance Scholars | Syracuse University News Syracuse University’s Remembrance Scholar Selection Committee has chosen the 35 students who will be the 2023-24 Remembrance Scholars.

This month’s Pan Am 103 Archives tribute honors Robert Gerard Fortune. An insurance executive from New Jersey, Bob was traveling home with his friend Elia Stratis from a short business trip in Europe. His flight was originally scheduled for the next day, but he’d wrapped up his work early to return home to his wife and two young children. Bob was a devoted husband and father who cherished his family. Following the disaster, his wife Deirdre became involved with the work of the victims’ families groups and was instrumental in the design and construction of the Memorial Cairn at Arlington National Cemetery. The Robert Gerard Fortune Family Papers, including dozens of mass cards for Bob, and large portions of the Memorial Cairn at Arlington National Cemetery Records, including conceptual designs, have been generously donated to the Archives by Deirdre Fortune. We remember Bob, and all the victims.

This month’s Pan Am 103 Archives tribute honors Arthur Fondiler. A lawyer from West Armonk, New York, Art earned his law degree at George Washington University. To honor his love of history, his family established a memorial history prize in his name at the University of Michigan, his undergraduate alma mater. Art is remembered by his friends and close-knit family as a gentle, loving, and generous man with a wonderful sense of humor. We remember Arthur, and all the victims.

The final event in the Victims of Pan Am Flight 103, Inc 2022-2023 Legacy Speaker Series will be held Friday, April 12 at 7 p.m. ET on Zoom. Kathryn Turman, retired Assistant Director of the FBI's Victim Services Division, will speak on the topic "Evolving Responses to Mass Violence and Terrorism." This virtual event is free and open to the public. Registration is required for this event. A registration link is available in the shared post, below.

Announcing the third event in the 2022-2023 Victims of Pan Am Flight 103, Inc. Legacy Award Speaker Series. This virtual speaker series that will be held on

Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at 7 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time

Title: Evolving Responses to Mass Violence and Terrorism
Speaker: Kathryn Turman, Assistant Director, FBI Victim Services Division (VSD), retired

This event will be broadcast live on Zoom. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link. Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZModO2grTwtE9F_5r0-sJ3Tz5aejv7LyE9b

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Kathryn Turman ran the Victim Witness Assistance Unit in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia in the 1990’s. She joined the FBI in 2002 and was the assistant director of the FBI’s Victim Services Division (VSD) when she retired in 2020. Arguably the Bureau’s most consistently called-upon contributor, she presided over the FBI’s victim-centered responses to every major case since 9/11, including the Boston Marathon bombings, multiple mass-casualty shootings, international kidnappings and murders, and scores of federal crimes. Under her leadership, the division grew from a handful of well-intentioned staff to a world-renowned corps of more than 300 specially trained personnel. During the 2000 trial of the two suspects in the bombing of Pan Am 103, it was Turman’s charge to make sure the families of the bombing’s American victims were well-served. Turman arranged for travel for family members and secured closed-circuit viewing in the U.S., which at the time was unprecedented. Robert S. Mueller, FBI Director from 2001-2013, said of Turman, “The victim assistance plan she developed for the Lockerbie prosecution became the backbone of the FBI’s approach to supporting victims of terrorism and federal crime.”

This month’s Pan Am 103 Archives tribute honors Nicholas Vrenios. A junior majoring in photography at Syracuse University, Nick’s dream was to become a professional photographer like his hero Ansel Adams. While studying abroad in London, he would get up early to venture through the city for the perfect picture. Nick was also an accomplished guitar player, often making up songs with his roommate Scott Cory, who was also on Pan Am 103. The Nicholas Andreas Vrenios Collection including examples of Nick’s photography and writings was generously donated to the Archives by his mother. We remember Nick, and all the victims.

This month’s Pan Am 103 Archives tribute honors Kathleen, Thomas, and Joanne Flannigan. The Flannigan Family lived on Sherwood Crescent in Lockerbie, Scotland where the wings and fuel tanks of Pan Am Flight 103 landed. Kathleen and Thomas’ two sons, David and Steven were not at home at the time of the crash. David passed away in 1993, followed by his brother Steven in 2000. We remember The Flannigan Family, and all the victims and their loved ones.