The Peterson AFB chapel recently hosted its annual National Prayer Luncheon to “honor [the] freedom” of religion guaranteed by the US Constitution.  Their guest speaker was Jerry Schemmel, a survivor of the crash of United Airlines Flight 232.  UA 232 is famous for its crash landing in Sioux City, Iowa, after it lost all hydraulics and the pilots (including a non-crew member pilot from the passenger deck) managed to “land” the crippled aircraft using only differential thrust.

While 184 passengers and crew survived, 112 were killed.  Schemmel was warned that the tragedy — which killed his boss with whom he was traveling — would lead to a host of “post traumatic” issues:

On the 10-month anniversary of the crash, Schemmel said he had experienced every symptom he was warned about, his marriage was hanging by a thread, and he didn’t know where to turn.
 
“I realized that I had to turn somewhere else. I closed my eyes and said a simple prayer,” he said.

Peterson Chaplain (LtCol) Timothy Porter said Schemmel’s message was appropriately timed:

The Air Force is emphasizing the importance of building mental, social, physical and spiritual strength so we can bounce back after certain circumstances,” he said. “It’s a privilege for us to have him come and share his life with us and his spiritual journey.”

As an aside, the incident in 1989 did have one “light” moment.  The controllers cleared UA 232 to land on the formerly closed runway at Sioux City and the pilots, who were struggling just to control the aircraft using only the engines, responded with a chuckle:

Sioux City Approach: United 232 Heavy, the wind’s currently 360/11. You’re cleared to land on any runway.

[Captain Alfred] Haynes: [laughter] Roger. [laughter] You want to be particular and make it a runway, huh?