“I was probably the eldest of all the children who lost a parent,” said Michele Craig, daughter of Michael Prestera — a local businessman and delegate-elect to the West Virginia Legislature, who died in the crash. Craig will serve as keynote speaker of the 55th Annual Memorial Fountain Ceremony, to be held at noon on Friday, Nov. 14, on the Memorial Student Center Plaza on Marshall’s Huntington campus.
“I was working in Washington, D.C., at the time,” Craig said. “I was 25 years old. I was blessed, though, because I got the benefit of having my father longer. Traveling with him and learning from him — he always dragged us into meetings in Washington. I grew up being very comfortable in business situations.”
Michael Prestera had been a chief inspector of an ordnance plant in Alabama before buying a small transportation company in Huntington and moving his family to the area in 1951. Craig was just 6 years old. He started a couple of other small companies as well and was involved in the creation of the interstate system all around the country.
“That’s how he spent his career — moving missiles and explosives. The interstate system was being built, so lots of explosives in the U.S. were going all over the country. We didn’t have it until Eisenhower dreamt of that, so there were lots of big construction projects. He was getting close to retirement and always was interested in government and the safety of people, so he decided to run for the legislature. I think he would have done extremely well.”
Of course, the crash happened before Prestera could officially serve.
Later the same decade, Craig would fill her father’s footsteps and serve as a delegate for Cabell County in the West Virginia Legislature. She then spent 30 years as executive director of Region 2 Planning and Development Council for the KYOVA Interstate Planning Commission.
Now, as she returns to share some of her thoughts and memories with the Marshall faithful, she is reflecting on what remembering those lost in the crash means even now, all these years later.
“It’s not about any individual,” Craig said. “It’s about the spirit that was created by their dedication to Marshall and the dedication of the people who followed.
“It’s totally unique. It has continued as a legend, but I think the most important message is there were people who really cared, and you need to be devoted and active to keep something moving. The people who were lost were truly dedicated to Marshall and it wasn’t a casual thing. They put their time and effort and other resources toward that end, and it makes a difference. When you do that, you have a lot more fun appreciating the success that follows.”
Members of the public are invited to attend the fountain ceremony in person or view a livestream of the event. To view the livestream or for more information on the plane crash, visit www.marshall.edu/neverforget.
Media are invited and encouraged to attend.
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