Sunday marks one year since the limousine crash in Schoharie cut short 20 lives, with the tragedy spilling over into all the communities they touched.
Family and first responders gathered Saturday morning at the site of the crash in Schoharie, as a memorial was unveiled paying tribute to the victims.
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It was October 6, 2018, when the limousine went through the Route 30 and 30-A intersection before crashing by the Apple Barrel Country Store. Seventeen passengers and the driver were killed, along with two bystanders. Now, the memorial features 20 stones, in recognition of a loss beyond words. A shoe print on each stone captures a small part of each as they lived.
Amanda Rivenburg's mother, Donna, was among those who spoke, expressing pain, but also gratitude.
"We have lost a child and some of us have lost a husband and some have lost a father," she said. "This gift given to us today is a gift that will never be forgotten, either. This is the greatest gift in honor of our loved ones lost. A generous gift given without asking; how do we thank you? We don't. But please know we thank you from the bottom of our hearts, forever. And for generations to come, we thank you."
The Reflections Memorial Foundation raised the money to create and preserve the memorial. There are also stones to recognize the efforts of first responders.
The public can visit and pay respects Sunday.