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Remembering Jimmy Helms

October 29, 2009 marked the 50th anniversary of the crash of Piedmont Airlines Flight #349 in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  As local residents looked back at the details surrounding the tragic crash, we took time to remember our friend Jimmy.  One of 26 victims, James (Jimmy) Helms was a beloved alumnus at the Drama Department.  Graduating from our department in 1958 with a Masters in Arts, Jimmy was an active student director and an advocate for student leadership in our department.  He was only 32 years old at the time of the crash. In 1974, Jimmy was honored at the University of Virginia Department of Drama with the dedication of a new theater in his name.  Fifty years later, the Helms Theatre remains a favorite at the University among students and townspeople alike and continues to foster an intimate learning environment for students and artists in Jimmy’s honor.  Please take a moment to remember our friend and browse the links below.  We have gathered a small group of local news articles published around the anniversary as well as a website documenting the crash, its sole survivor and the 26 victims. 

Cover Story- Alone on a mountain: the true story of Flight 349
The Hook
October 8, 2009
http://www.readthehook.com/stories/2009/10/08/COVER-flight349-main-H.aspx

Flight 349: Never-before-seen pix in ‘59 crash
The Hook
October 27, 2009
http://www.readthehook.com/blog/index.php/2009/10/27/flight-349-never-before-seen-pix-in-59-crash/

Stories shared 50 years after plane crash
The Daily Progress
November 1, 2009
http://www2.dailyprogress.com/cdp/news/local/article/stories_shared_50_years_after_plane_crash/48326/

Fiftieth Anniversary: The Final Flight of Piedmont Airlines 349
Crozet Gazette
October 13, 1009
http://www.crozetgazette.com/2009/10/secrets-of-the-blue-ridge-the-fiftieth-anniversary-of-the-final-flight-of-piedmont-349/

Sole Survivor: the amazing story of Flight 349
http://solesurvivor.info/

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