Lang, who lived with Ray in the family's North Massapequa home, said she will get counseling before she boards another plane. Meanwhile, she's coping by handling funeral arrangements and media interviews. Earlier this week, the Rev. William J. Smith, pastor of Bell AME Zion Church in Center Moriches, held a service in his small church and led about 60 people in prayers for the families. Similar scenes played out across the country. The union has also set up a scholarship fund for the 19 children of TWA workers who died, said Sherry Cooper, president of the Independent Federation of Flight Attendants.
Employees can get help from counseling centers and trauma teams.
There is also a hotline. For some at the airline, helping victims' families keeps their own pain at bay. But some say the tragedy of Flight 800 has taken that bonding to another level, not only among TWA workers, but with counterparts across the globe. Virgin Express in Brussels sent flowers. Pilot groups in South Africa and Argentina sent telegrams.