Ice skating community holds vigil to honor those lost in American Airlines crash
Some skaters gathered at the Ice House of New Jersey in Hackensack for the event.
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Ice skating rinks across the nation gathered together virtually Monday to remember figure skaters who lost their lives in last Wednesday's tragic plane crash in Washington, D.C.
The figure skating family at Ice House remembered 31 members of the skating community overall who died on American Airlines flight 5342. The vigil was live with other ice skating facilities around the country.
Two young skaters on that flight were set to train at Ice House this week, but instead, they were remembered in Monday's vigil with pictures, flowers and candles.
Many young skaters say it's hard to cope with the loss of 14 skaters who were under the age of 15.
RELATED: Victims of Flight 5342 crash had ties to Ice House of New Jersey in Hackensack
"It's kind of hard to get through, but I understand what happened and its sad," said 12-year-old figure skater, Gianna Andolinn.
"Some of these kids that were lost they were some of my very, very good friends," said 14-year-old figure skater, Gabriella Frenkel. When we were having the memorial, I couldn't hold it in. I had to cry it out."
The other 17 passengers connected to the figure skating community were family members and coaches. Director Craig Maurizi says he's known two of the coaches for more than 20 years.
"To know that they're not going to be there is numbing," he said.
"Anywhere that I go that has some sort of skating or skating curricular. I will forever remember them," said Frankel.
