Plane Went Down In Atlantic Ocean In December

"We know you tried your best, and we thank you for the help you gave us." That was the message a Georgia family had for rescuers who worked to find the bodies of a father and his daughter who crashed last December off the Florida coast, and the volunteers who aided family members throughout the ordeal.

Family members and friends of Gary Tillman and his daughter Hannah, returned to St. Johns, FL this week to thank the community for all it did to help them during difficult times.

Earl Tillman, Gary Tillman's father, hosted a luncheon Wednesday afternoon to show their appreciation for the support that dozens of people gave them after the loss of their loved ones. Gary and Hannah Tillman, as well as passenger Anna Kipp, lost their lives when their Cessna 195 went down off the Florida coast late last year as they were flying from Rome, GA to the Bahamas.

Another passenger, Rachel Hostetler, survived the crash with minor injuries. As Aero-News reported earlier this week, tapes of the final exchanges between Tillman and Florida ATC were released this week, giving insight into the last moments aboard the C-195.

For the Tillman family, Wednesday's gathering was no simple 'thank you'... it was also about returning to where they lost their loved ones, and looking into the eyes of those who stood by the family during its darkest hour.

"It was sort of a city to city thank you for all the kindness and hard work," Earl Tillman said. "Last time we were down here, it was tragic."

Tillman's widow, Denise, said the support everyone gave them during the tragedy, gave her strength to move on after the loss.

"We just appreciate everyone's hard work so much, especially during the holidays. It was just incredible," she told attendees. "It's just really given me a lot of strength and comfort to know that everyone out there has been praying for our family."

The Tillmans also presented St. John's County Sheriff David Shoar with an official proclamation of appreciation.

"We've formed life-long friendships based on a tragic event and I think, to me, that's what public service is about," Shoar said.

Indeed.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov