Although this was the deadliest US aircraft accident, there is nothing to mark the spot near Chicago O'Hare where the plane hit the ground.
No memorial exists anywhere to the 273 people (271 on board, 2 on the ground) who were killed.
I was there. I don't know if anyone will ever read this post but I still think of the F/As on board the flight. I knew one of them. As a volunteer part of the NTSB team, I arrived at the impact site approximately 15 hours afterwards. The sensitivity and respect by those who actually worked there trying to ascertain the cause of the crash is to be commended.
Anonymous
@ 2009-01-16 17:30:46
There should be a memorial there. I had friends who lived in that trailer park at the time of the crash.
Anonymous
@ 2009-01-31 20:34:15
This is still the deadliest single crash in US history. Why no memorial?
Anonymous
@ 2009-03-05 19:18:40
Simple reason why no memorial......Look at Runway 32R and it's proximity to the site.
If the runway or airport needed expansion in that direction, there is no way it could happen if there was a memorial. People would not stand for it. With no memorial....expansion can take place if needed. Chi-town politics is the explanation.
Anonymous
@ 2009-04-25 10:45:59
The site itself is actually Des Plaines. Many people are outraged that there is no memorial. Next month, on May 25, it will have been 30 years that that plane crashed. I am trying to locate family members to start a grass-roots campaign to get a memorial erected to the almost 300 people who perished that day. If you lost someone, or were affected by the crash, please feel free to email me at pamelazack@hotmail.com.
Anonymous
@ 2009-05-25 07:40:40
I lived in the mobile home park and was home when it happened. I was 12 and had just gotten home from school for the holiday weekend...Casper the Ghost was on the TV...I remember it like it was yesterday and to this day, still have nightmares about it. I have thought about this every year on this day and also wonder why there is no memorial. Doen't have to be a big concrete structure, just something to remember those poor souls who lost their lives that horrible day.
Anonymous
@ 2009-05-25 11:00:39
One of my best friends father was killed on that plane. I was playing with him that afternoon and heard of the crash right before he went home. The first report we heard was that it was a air frieghter that crashed but Mike learned the true story when he walked in to his house. His mother was supossed to be on the flight as well but changed her plans at the last minute... Thinking of you today Mike. fifth grade is to early to lose your father. Your old friend from Faith Hope, John
I live in Besenville and was walking home from school on that tragic day and saw the massive black smoke miles in the sky. When I arrived home the radio told the story. God bless all affected.
Anonymous
@ 2010-04-24 07:51:33
My dad was on the flight when I was twelve. When my mom told me that she "thought" dad's plane crashed as a freind informed her after hearing the news on her car radio, I calmly went to my room and new in my gut that my father would never come home again. As I cried my mother tried to give hope since there is a chance he could call and say he missed the flight, but I knew in my gut it was over; plus, my dad was critical about being on time, especially to see his three boys. The loss was great and still is, but my hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ who's sacrifice on the cross for me is greater than dad's sacrifice even though I miss his presence, his provision, and his laugh. If you are not born from above yet, seek Him.
Anonymous
@ 2010-11-27 11:30:45
My husband and I were just at the crash site this afternoon. He lost his wife of 6 months in the crash and had never been here before. At the Oasis right behind the field they have an memorial for MIA/POW's. This location overlooks the crash site! Why can't a memorial be placed there overlooking the site?
Anonymous
@ 2011-08-25 20:38:48
for those who have wish for a memorial
The monument is set to be unveiled Oct. 15 2011 in Des Plaines' Lake Park, near the crash site.
The new memorial will be a curved 2-foot-high wall, with the names of the 271 people who died on the plane and the two who died on the ground. A red maple and other plants will decorate the area, near Lake Opeka.
There is a Memorial now about a mile east on Touhy at Lee's Park, at the corner of Touhy & Lee with the names of each victim on a brick.
Anonymous
@ 2018-08-04 07:42:57
You can't even tell that there was even an accident. No plane parts remain or even a scrap of metal. There is a Gate that says H-21 & u can't go past that area. There is a good documentary on Youtube from Nat'l Geographic which recreates the tragic events very realistically.
Anonymous
@ 2019-03-22 13:10:38
There is a memorial near the aiport. It is located at an entrance to a golf course just outside O'Hare. But, it should be located at the crash sight and not a mile or so away.
Anonymous
@ 2020-05-25 12:46:02
Chicago Tribune 5/25/2019 story on memorial site: "Hundreds gather at memorial service to honor the 273 people killed 40 years ago when Flight 191 crashed at O'Hare"
Anonymous
@ 2020-07-11 16:10:38
It is nice that there is now a memorial to the crash victims, but it would be more appropriate if it was located at the site of the crash. The area is still an empty field right behind the CPD canine training center and having it there would not interfere with airport operations in the least. The runway from which AA 191 took off is now just a taxiway, but they did build a new runway just north of the location of the old one.
Anonymous
@ 2023-02-14 04:15:05
That's a stupid reason for no memorial. If that is the real reason, its sickening.
All about money.
Anonymous
@ 2023-02-14 04:18:22
They cant even put the memorial where it should be. All about money.
If the runway or airport needed expansion in that direction, there is no way it could happen if there was a memorial. People would not stand for it. With no memorial....expansion can take place if needed. Chi-town politics is the explanation.
The monument is set to be unveiled Oct. 15 2011 in Des Plaines' Lake Park, near the crash site.
The new memorial will be a curved 2-foot-high wall, with the names of the 271 people who died on the plane and the two who died on the ground. A red maple and other plants will decorate the area, near Lake Opeka.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-08-25/news/ct-met-flight-191-memorial-20110824_1_crash-site-plane-memorial
All about money.