Where Eagles Lie Fallen: The Crash of Arrow Air Flight 1285, Gander, Newfoundland

by Gary Collins

Where Eagles Lie Fallen is celebrated master storyteller Gary Collins's solemn tribute to the American servicemen and servicewomen who lost their lives aboard Arrow Air Flight 1285 when it crashed in Gander, Newfoundland, on December 12, 1985.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

227 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 17, 2010

About the author

Gary Collins was born in Hare Bay, Bonavista North. He spent forty years in the logging and sawmilling business with his father, Theophilus, and son Clint. Gary was once Newfoundland's youngest fisheries guardian. He managed log drives down spring rivers for years, spent seven seasons driving tractor-trailers over ice roads and the Beaufort Sea of Canada's Western Arctic, and has been involved in the crab, lobster, and cod commercial fisheries. In 2016, he joined the Canadian Rangers.

Gary's writing career began when he was asked to write eulogies for deceased friends and family. Now a critically acclaimed author, he has written twelve books, including the children's illustrated book What Colour is the Ocean?, which he co-wrote with his granddaughter, Maggie Rose Parsons. That book won an Atlantic Book Award: The Lillian Shepherd Memorial Award for Excellence in Illustration. His book Mattie Mitchell: Newfoundland's Greatest Frontiersman has been adapted for film. His first novel, The Last Beothuk, won the inaugural NL Reads literary competition, administered by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

Gary Collins is Newfoundland and Labrador's favourite storyteller, and today he is known all over the province as "the Story Man." His favourite pastimes are reading, writing, and playing guitar at his log cabin. He lives in Hare Bay, Newfoundland, with his wife, the former Rose Gill. They have three children and three grandchildren

Reviews

[Jim Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptional 2010 book by Gary Collins, author of The Last Beothuk, Desperation: The Queen of Swansea, Left to Die, and several others. Mr. Collins is a master storyteller and combined with his fastidious fact-checking, his books make for some of the best historical fiction accounts anywhere. However, with "Where Eagles Lie Fallen" we have a book based on actual events: the fatal crash of Arrow air Flight 1285 on December 12th, 1985 killing all on board, most notably men and women of the 101st Airborne Division of the U.S. Army and the events of September 11, 2001 that led to the U.S. shutting down their airspace, forcing a multitude of planes to land in Gander, Newfoundland. The facts of each of these events are well-known, and Mr. Collins does not over dwell on them or the controversies that dog them to this day. Instead, he takes us to places and incidents surrounding the two historic events so that we are drawn toward the people involved, whether they be the actual men and women who perished that day or their parents back in the U.S. or the residents of Gander, who are no stranger to plane crashes around their airport (but none such as this before).
The story that fascinated me the most, and one that cohesively binds the two incidents together, is that of Melina, the mother of Michael who died in the Arrow Air disaster. It proves the adage that "truth is stranger than fiction."
An enlightening, 5-star effort of non-fiction told in Mr. Collin's warm, storytelling style that has become his trademark.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased this book via Kindle late evening based on a high recommedation from someone whose opinion I greatly value.
You may already be familiar with the crash of Arrow Air 1285 - the Army's greatest non combat loss occurred Dec 12, 1985 when this plane crashed shortly after take off. The soldiers were returning from a peacekeeping mission in the Sinai.
I lost a loved one on that plane.
I've read so much about the crash - online and a couple books. I have avoided this book as felt would be overwhelming.
I read it straight through that night and again the next day.
This is one of the most compassionate, well written books I've encountered. The author provided info I hadn't read elsewhere and really went the extra mile. Highly recommend this book.

[Mary Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the main storyline is the crash of a flight carrying US military personnel, the author uses very personal stories to create a human connection to the disaster. At the same time he relates the stories of two other major incidents, with the three timelines spanning almost a century. Very moving and very well told - we have an appreciation of the lives lost, loved ones affected and the significant outpouring of help from the Newfoundlanders.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book written out of respect for those who lost their lives, as well as the family members and friends whose lives were forever changes. Some unbelievable stories of the people who were affected by the Arrow Air crash. My only regret is that I wished the book were longer.

[Jerry Cranford · Rating 5 out of 5]

“[Gary Collins is] one of the region’s better storytellers; he has a journalist’s eye for detail, his writing is crisp and lean.” -- Atlantic Books Today


"Some truly breathtaking stories of tragedy . . ." -- The Northeast Avalon Times

"A gripping story, which cuts to the true heart of tragedy." -- Downhome

[Edward Legge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another great book by Gary Collins that I read recently. I really enjoyed reading this book, Gary is a great author indeed!