A community celebration of “remembrance and gratitude” is being held at Lockerbie’s Tundergarth Parish Church on Saturday, December 21, to mark 36 years since the act of terrorism which shook the world.
The Dumfries and Galloway church is one of three iconic sites at Tundergarth – alongside the Air Disaster Remembrance Room and the old kirk ruins – which is recognised for images of the nose cone of the Boeing 747 which crashed in the field across the road and more than 100 bodies were found in the surrounding fields.
These sites are visited by thousands of people who come to worship or to remember the 270 victims killed in the terrorist attack – including 11 Lockerbie residents – when Pan Am Flight 103 was blown up over the town on December 21, 1988.
It remains the deadliest terrorist attack on UK soil.
Tundergarth Kirks Trust and the Pan Am 103 Lockerbie Legacy Foundation are behind the special service, starting at 1pm, which will have “uplifting performances and verse” with local performers involved.
Lockerbie resident and chairperson of the Tundergarth Kirks Trust, Lori Carnochan, said: “In contrast to previous services, the sentiments will focus on recognising and expressing gratitude for the extraordinary service and humanity shown by the hundreds of responders, volunteers, and locals impacted.”
There will also be a new Wall of Honour display unveiled featuring the official coats of arms of all the responder organisations who dealt with the aftermath of the attack.
It has been described as “a collective tangible representation of what was an historic and unparalleled multi-agency operations”.
First responders are also being asked to add an item – shield plaque, flag or other insignia – which represents their organisation to the display.
It will then become a permanent exhibition in the upcoming Pan Am 103 Lockerbie Heritage Museum within the Tundergarth Kirk ruins.
The anniversary service, meanwhile, while remembering those who died, will also commemorate the “unique bond” forged from the disaster and honour the “exemplary, selfless and compassionate efforts of the townspeople,” as well as showing gratitude to all those who gave “tireless commitment and humanity” in going to help the town in the wake of the disaster and in the years since.
The service is open to all but, to help with numbers, organisers are asking anyone who wants to attend to email [email protected] by December 16 and to arrive between 12.30pm and 1pm on the day.