Flight 232 Memorial and Statue – Sioux City, IA
N 42° 29.344 W 096° 24.601
14T E 712852 N 4707329
Local artist Dale Claude Lamphere’s touching sculpture at the “Flight 232 Memorial” depicts the community’s rescue mission based on a photo in the local newspaper.
Waymark Code: WMAYVF
Location: Iowa, United States
Date Posted: 03/13/2011
Views: 10
Few Iowans can forget the date July 19, 1989 when United Flight 232 crashed at Sioux City’s airport. On its way from Denver to Chicago the airliner experienced an explosion in one of the engines tearing off the right wing before the fuel tank blew up and the plane crashed near one of the runways. Miraculously 184 passengers lived through the ordeal, though most experienced injuries.
Local artist Dale Claude Lamphere’s touching sculpture at the “Flight 232 Memorial” depicts the community’s rescue mission based on a photo in the local newspaper, Iowa National Guard Lt. Col. Dennis Nielson as he carried a three year old child to safety. The 1993 film “Fearless” was based on this true story.
The “Spirit of Siouxland” memorial can be found on the riverfront in Chris Larsen Park on Larsen Park Road in Sioux City. It was dedicated on June 5, 1994.
A marker states: The Spirit of Siouxland. This statue commemorates Siouxland’s extraordinary response to the crash of United Flight 232 on July 19, 1989. It depicts the rescue of three-year-old Spencer Hailey by Lt. Col. Dennis Nielson of the Iowa Air National Guard’s 185th Tactical Fighter Group, one of the many who answered the call that day.
The work was created by Artist Dale Lamphere and was inspired by a photograph shot by Sioux City Journal photographer Gary Anderson. The Greater Sioux City Press Club.
Behind the statue on the upper level are a series of pink Sioux quartzite rocks with quotes from people in the community.
"I didn't save him...God saved the child...I just carried him, Sir..."
"Let no one go unmentioned. Yet once again we say, we're very proud of Siouxland and all who helped that day."
Disaster Date: 07/19/1989
Date of dedication: 06/05/1994
Memorial Sponsors: The Greater Sioux City Press Club
Disaster Type: Technological
Relevant Website: [Web Link]
Parking Coordinates: Not Listed
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