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For Many, Gadhafi's Death Changes Meaning Of PanAm 103 Anniversary

NEW YORK (WCBS 880) - The feeling of loss the might not be different 23 years after the crash of PanAm 103, but just about everything else is.

WCBS 880's Peter Haskell On The Story

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That's because former Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi is dead. The dictator was killed on October 20 after being overthrown.

"When you pursue justice for 23 years and a 21-year-old is killed and finally the man who ordered the hit is brought to justice, you are going to feel a little bit of sense of satisfaction," said Brian Flynn, whose brother J.P. was on the flight. "There has always been a sense of despair and I think maybe we might move slightly away from despair and just a sense of mourning and honor, and maybe even a little bit of joy."

On December 21, 1988, the 747 bound from London Heathrow to JFK Airport exploded and fell out of the sky over Lockerbie, Scotland.

All 259 people on board were killed, along with 11 on the ground. J.P. was among the 35 Syracuse University, 38 New Jerseyans, and 189 Americans on board.

Brian Flynn tells WCBS 880 reporter Peter Haskell the fight for justice isn't over.

"The case is not closed and we're trying to find out who in the Libyan government, who else was behind it," said Flynn.

Flynn says it's important that they honor and remember.

Did you know someone on the flight? Share your memories in the comments section below!

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