Titanic Museum in Branson honors 100th anniversary of disaster

April 14, 2012|Chad Plein, KY3 News

BRANSON, Mo. -- One hundred years ago Satruday night the infamous Titanic struck an iceberg and the unsinkable ship began taking on water.

Saturday afternoon, the Titanic Museum in Branson held a special ceremony to honor those who lost their lives and celebrate those who survived.

With hundreds in attendance the Titanic Museum celebrated it's namesake. From Captain Smith to maids onboard the ship, they told a story of accomplishment, loss and survival. The story was intertwined with stirring music from the Springfield Symphony.

Descendants of passengers teared up thinking of loved ones now gone. An Eternal Flame was ignited to honor those onboard Titanic. As a symbol of strength and love for those lost this day also rekindles relationships with survivors.

"It brings me closer to my grandfather," Thomas Goldsmith said. "I remember the stories he told me, and when I see things from his house here in Branson, it's like holding his hand again."

Goldsmith and his son Benjamin are descendants of three passengers from the Titanic. Third class immigrants from England Frank and Emily Goldsmith and their son, Frank, Jr., who have items on display at the museum. Frank Sr., Thomas' great-grandfather, died in the frigid Atlantic.

"We are survivors," Goldsmith said. "Had things been different, my grandfather didn't make it onto the life boat, we wouldn't be here. We don't celebrate the anniversary of the sinking but the rebirth of our family."

This family believes in a lesson from the Titanic that still rings true 100-years later.

"Remember everyday could be the last day of your life, enjoy your family," Benjamin Goldsmith said.

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