I'm Lindsay Ferrier, a Nashville writer with a passion for family travel, exploring Tennessee, and raising kids without losing my mind in the process. This is where I share my discoveries, along with occasional deep thoughts, pop culture tangents and a sprinkling of snark. Want to get in touch? Use the CONTACT form at the top of the page.
To the Friends and Family of Glenn Mull
February 4, 2014
Dear Kansas friends and family of Glenn Mull,
I know you are shocked and grieved by the news that Glenn, his wife, daughter, and granddaughter all lost their lives in a plane crash yesterday evening in Nashville. I can imagine that it’s difficult to bear the fact that they died so far from home, among strangers.
I want you to know, though, that their plane went down in the heart of a community filled with people who shared Glenn’s obvious affinity for family. Within Nashville, Bellevue is like a small town, one that values family and relationships with others above just about everything else. Our community grieves with yours today over the loss of Glenn and his family– and we are deeply grateful for the courage and strength of Glenn Mull in his final moments.
Witnesses said that just before his plane crashed shortly before five yesterday afternoon, it banked sharply to the right, hitting a tiny patch of grass in the center of a very busy area. I want you all to know exactly what what that busy area must have looked like to Glenn Mull as he circled our neighborhood in the minutes before the crash. He had reached the most bustling section of our community at the busiest time of day. He would have seen hundreds of homes with cars in the driveway. A Kroger packed with shoppers. An assisted living community. And an enormous YMCA, where hundreds of families were streaming in and out to swim in the indoor pool, exercise, and take classes.
Glenn didn’t know this, but school was cancelled for our kids yesterday, and so a larger than usual number of them were at the Y with their parents. Some experts are saying now that the last-second sharp turn Glenn made in the seconds before the plane crashed indicates that he made a heroic decision to hit the one spot in the immediate vicinity where no one on the ground would be hurt. I, for one, believe them.
The crash site is literally a few yards from the YMCA’s indoor pool, where dozens of our children were enjoying their day off. It was right beside the Y’s new workout room, which would have been packed with moms and dads at that time of day. I know many of the people who were swimming with their children when the plane went down, or heading into the Kroger next door, or who ran outside their homes to see what the loud buzzing noise in the sky was, or whose teenage children were heading to the Y or to the church next door for basketball practice. Glenn managed to spare all of their lives.
And for that, we could not be more grateful to him.
We are all talking today about Glenn Mull, the hero, who we believe had the extraordinary courage and presence of mind to save our families, even as he realized he couldn’t save his own. We grieve with you today, but we hope you’ll take some small comfort in the fact that we here in Bellevue will never forget this husband, father and grandfather from Kansas who was able to do something that now seems nearly impossible under the circumstances. It is nothing short of a miracle that no one on the ground was hurt or killed- and we owe that miracle to God and to Glenn Mull.
Our deepest, most heartfelt sympathies go out to all of you who knew and loved him, Elaine, Amy, and Sami.
Sincerely,
A Bellevue Mom
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Oh, I am just so sorry. Some day, if not today, these words will mean so much.
Beautifully said, and heart-breaking as well. Thanks, Lindsay, for having the presence of mind and the good heart to reach out to the victims’ mourning loved ones.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Glenn and Elaine Mull and Amy and Samantha Harter.
Thank you so much for posting this. You expressed perfectly all of the convoluted thoughts and feelings that have been swirling in my mind and heart since last night. I shared your post on two FB pages for friends and family of those lost last night. 🙁
Please encourage those who witnessed the crash to contact the NTSB and FAA so they can be interviewed. Its important to understand what happened so future accidents can be prevented.
The officials on scene yesterday took nams and phone numbers from witnesses and are passing them along.
I have a connection to the family. I’ll pass your post along.
Thank you.
Thank you for posting this, I believe it will give them comfort.. bless you..
Beautifully expressed. Sincere sympathy for the Mull family. A true hero indeed.
Thank you for writing this thoughtful letter. Amy was a friend of mine and I will share this on my Facebook page for others to find some comfort in. The small town of Larned, Ks has a lot of heartache. Please keep the family and friends of Glenn, Elaine, Amy, and Samantha in your prayers.
As someone who lives in the area, and whose home was barely missed by the plane, thank you, Lindsay.
Beautifully said Lindsey!!! I hope their family finds a small amount of comfort from your words as you said what we have ALL been thinking the past 24 hours.
Thank you for your sympathy for the family, I am sure this note will bring them great comfort during their time of loss. God bless you for sharing this.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Your words really do help assuage the pain so many are feeling. After reading an NBC story online and the hurtful comments that followed, your words soothed my angered spirit. There are truly good people in this world. I am happy that you were able to share that you are among them.
Great post Lindsay, I live in Nashville but I grew up in Kansas very close to where the family is from. I love your words, “that he had the presence of mind to save our families, though he couldn’t save his own.”
It’s perfect, Lindsay. Thank you.
As a friend of Amy and Sami and a mother and grandmother, I sincerely thank you for taking the time to right these kind words. May God bless you as richly as you deserve for these words of comfort. Bless you.
Amen. As someone who lived just a few hundred yards behind the crash site and who heard the plane go down, I am so devastated that this man and his family died but so grateful that Mr. Mull was able to spare so many other lives.
Thank you for expressing this so well. We heard the plane over our home on Chase View and the terrible noise that shook the house afterward. Prayers to the family in Kansas. Know that your family will always be a part of Bellevue and our families. Heaven has a new hero.
Beautiful words Lindsey. A sure comfort to those who knew them.
Thank you so so much for your letter. How it helped our hearts and reaffirmed what we knew about Glen and his loving and god centered heart. They were dear friends. Judi T
Thank you for your kind words… the small community in Kansas that is affected by this tragedy is thankful you shared your gratitude. Your words will touch many! I’m sure I won’t be the first to thank you, but as a friend of the Mulls…Thank you.
A comment on my post, sharing your letter, on one of the memorial FB pages:
Marilyn Hawk Stude: “Thank
you for your comments and for sharing the link! Please let Lindsey
know that she has touched many hurting hearts in KS and across the
country. The Mulls had friends across the world with their involvements
of giving and caring.”
My sincerest thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of Glenn and Elaine Mull and Amy and Samantha Harter. Glenn Mull is a hero and will be remembered in Bellevue.
Thank you for this. I am a classmate of Elaine & I know the family will find comfort in your words
Thank you from Larned. We are holding each other up and close.
Lindsay, no one could have said it better. Thank you for your heart of love that nudged you to spend the time expressing what so many of us are feeling. To the family and friends of the Mulls: Many people in and around Nashville are keeping you in their prayers.
Lindsay, thank you for this beautiful tribute. Both Glenn and his wife, Elaine, had a strong sense of community and supported many organizations with their time and energy. This was a trait that their children share and that was being taught to the newest generation. They will be greatly missed.
Thanks from a Great Bend family who knew the Mull’s we too believe he acted to save others. That was just more proof of how he lived his life.
What lovely words from a wonderful citizen.
Lindsay, thank you for the thoughtfully expressed sympathy for the Mull family. I was watching the news the moment that Demetria announced the crash and showed where the plane went down. I immediately said that the pilot deftly avoided harming people on the ground. It is such a shame that as you said, he was not able to save his own family. Mr. Mull’s last act was indeed heroic.
Thank you LIndsay. I have known and admired Glenn since our college days at K-State. We were to have a board meeting together this Saturday. Your incredible tribute has brought much solace and comfort to those of us who knew and loved the Mulls. They will all leave a big void in our lives. Thank you for helping us through this process!
Thanks Lindsay for your kind words about this family from Kansas. They were so involved in their community of Larned and will be missed terribly!
such beautiful words and a fitting tribute to Glenn and his family. we are thankful that the courage of the American spirit and deep face in an abiding God still exist in this great country. may the peace of the Lord be with the community of Bellevue and especially with the community of Larned, Kansas. Reverend Daneale White, Olathe, KS
This reminds me of a similar story, the heroic action of a WWII soldier who avoided a village when his plane crashed. After 60 years, the small town still honors him as a hero. What Glenn Mull did was no less heroic and my thoughts go out to his extended family and the town that recognizes his amazing gift. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/they-dont-forget-normandy-still-honors-american-wwii-pilots-sacrifice/
Thank you so much for this wonderful letter.
Thank you Lindsay for the words of the grieving in my heart. My prayers go out to the family and friends of the Mull family for their incredible loss. My families lives maybe half a mile from the Y, we shop at the Kroger and work out at the Y. It is a miracle to God and Glenn Mull that no one on the ground was hurt.
So beautifully said, thank you for sharing what was in our hearts today.
I witnessed the crash and can tell you that all those people making rude comments on news site don’t know what they are talking about. Don’t listen them. Those of us who saw, know that Glenn did what he could to protect those on the ground. If we call him a hero is he a hero. This letter sums it up so well for our community and our hearts. Even the skies have been crying for your loss here in Bellevue today.
What can we do for the family left behind? As a “thank you”…
Beautifully written. Kansas thanks you.
These words say it well. I am so sorry for the loss of the Mull family. I am so very thankful that lives were spared as the plane landed where it did. My son was working as a life guard at the YMCA pool when the plane hit. He was no more than maybe 20 feet from the crash but inside the building. It could have hit the building right where he was and others in the pool area. So many lives could have been lost. I am thankful to the Lord and to a skilled pilot. I have to say though, I think “Jesus had the wheel”!
Hi Lindsey, Thank you for sharing this sweet letter that is bringing comfort to the Mull Family and to our Bellevue families. You captured the events of this tough day and our sweet Bellevue beautifully. We are still stunned and deeply saddened for the Mull family but know that Glenn Mull is our hero. With so many homes and businesses in this area, we know in our hearts that this brave man saved our lives. For the Mull Family and Friends, this is a loving, warm community as you can see from the posts and know that thousands of prayers went up yesterday before we even knew their names. We will continue to pray for you during this difficult time.
Our son khristopher had the privilege of working for the mulls for 4 years with the guidance of Gerald Hadley.Glen And Elane also took both of our daughters on a vacation with them in Colorado. These people were very genuine and giving. Thank You Glen and Elaine for sowing into our children’s lives
What a wonderful letter. Thoughts and prayers for the grieving family and friends of Glenn Mull and his family.
Absolutely Beautiful. Thank you for so eloquently saying what I believe as well. We live just a mile or so from the crash site. I believe Glenn is a hero to and know that he and his family are in a better place. You-all have our prayers…
Thank you, Lindsay, for expressing how everyone in Bellevue feels tonight. My daughter was just getting ready to head out the door for the Y when word of the crash came in.
Today I read about the Mull family and their generous spirit. Our thoughts and prayers are with their family and friends and their community in Kansas. Thank you, Glenn, for a final heroic act in the last moments of your heroic life. You will be remembered in this little community in Tennessee for a very long time.
Amen!
Glenn Mull’s family in Kansas are church family for me. I am very touched by this beautiful letter. Thank you.
What a beautiful tribute connecting our two communities. Having spent the day in tears your letter warmed my heart and the hearts of multiple people in our community. A three generation loss of a family that everyone in town was proud to call a friend. What a blessing they knew Jesus.
Yes, she is right. We are a tight-knit family community that has truly been affected by this tragedy. I also live across the street and have passed by the site many times since yesterday….my heart sinks every time. Please know how truly sorry we are for your losses. We will continue to pray for your hearts to heal, and that one day you can find comfort in knowing that Glenn, Elaine, Amy & Sami are at the feet of Jesus, smiling down upon you. With love, from another Bellevue resident.
A brave man, indeed. Prayers to all in KS!
Glenn Mull is a HERO. You’re in my thoughts & prayers.
Another Bellevue Mom
This is so touching. Thank you.
I too live in Bellevue and witnessed the crash site yesterday. Glenn is a hero and his last minute decision saved 100’s of lives. Praying for this family and community. You have new friends in Bellevue who are grieving with you today.
Thank you for taking the time to write this letter. We are all in disbelief and shock. Your kind words help us better understand those last moments. I grew up with Amy and spent lots of time with the Mulls. They contributed a lot to our community and their loss will be greatly felt. God bless!
I too am a Bellevue mom and my 6 year old son was at his home daycare in the row of houses just behind the Y. My deepest sympathies to the family but Mr. Mull and his family will always be heros to my family. Please know that the town of Bellevue supports you and is grateful for such a hero and I believe he purposely saved the lives of those on the ground. My thoughts are prayers are with you.
Sincerely,
Dawn Gorham
Thanks for the beautiful letter you wrote. I work with severf the Mull and Harter family members and know many have read your letter. I also noticed your blog post has 58000 shares on Facebook alone. That’s remarkable! Thanks for speaking for your community to ours. Your words are being read and reread by many to help mourn the loss of great friends and family.
51,000 – I’m sorry I mistyped. Still remarkable!
I was in that part of the YMCA when this tragic event happened. I realize that I am only able to write these words because of the heroic action that Glenn took. He saved my life…someone who he never met but cared enough about to sacrifice his own. I am eternally indebted.
I was walking out of the YMCA with my 2 year old son when the plane crashed. The sound is something I will never forget. Please know that immediate prayers were sent up to those on board. It was so heartbreaking to learn that the world lost such a beautiful family. God Bless Glenn, Elaine, Amy and Samantha.
Lindsay what a beautiful heartfelt letter. Your writing is no doubt among the most comforting words that will be said to this heartbroken family. I marvel sometimes at the gifts God gave you and Dennis. The verse “To whom much is given much will be expected” could not be more appropriate than for Lindsay and Dennis Ferrier. Thank you for all the blessings you share with us. Although I no longer live in your community my heart hurts as if I still were there.
Wonderful letter. I live in Bellevue and go to the Y. What a brave man you were Mr Mull. Prayers and hugs to your family.
As a grandmother and mother in Indiana whose son, daughter-in-law, and three little grandchildren frequent that Y and who were there that day, my thanks to Glenn Mull for his selflessness and thoughtfulness will be eternal. What a difference he made for my family.
Thank you for taking the time to write this. SO lovely, and so sweet of you.
I was in 4-H with Glenn when we were kids. I know Kansas has had a lot of bad press lately, which puzzles me… I haven’t lived in Kansas for years, but the people I remember are people like Glenn — responsible, caring, positive, hard-working, and full of integrity, with a pioneer legacy of making the best of a situation. There wouldn’t have been any other alternative for Glenn as a pilot but to do what he did.
Our condolences and sympathies to the people in central Kansas who will mourn and miss Glenn and his family very much.
Thank you so much Lindsay for your incredibly kind words. I’m originally from Great Bend, Kansas and know both Glenn’s family and his wife’s family. They will be greatly and forever missed by many! I have shared your post with their families and I believe that it will bring them comfort in this terrible time. Thank you again!
Great post! I’m a 911 dispatcher in Nashville but my daughter went to college in Great Bend so I know the area they’re from. It’s a great group of people who will rally around the remaining family members. I also know how bad the accident could have been.
So beautifully written, thank you. I too live in Bellevue only two miles from the crash site.
Thank you very much. I was at the Y and was one of the first ones outside and it was horrific. He saved many lives that day while losing his own. God Bless Him.
Beth Gottlieb
My friend and former minister of music posted this. I thought you might want to know more about the family. “You may have heard about a small plane crash today in Nashville. The four people that lost their lives were from the Great Bend, KS area – where our son, Jonathan, and his family live. Glenn & Elaine Mull were very involved in the church where Jonathan serves as Minister of Worship and Missions. Elaine was one of the pianists at his church. She and Glenn were two of the first people Janis and I met on our first trip to KS, and they always so kind and gracious to us. Please pray that God will give an extra measure of strength, peace, and comfort to Glenn & Elaine’s son, Doug, who lost his wife, daughter, and mother-in-law and father-in-law in the crash. Also pray for Chase, Doug’s son (and Matthew’s friend) who lost his grandparents, mother and sister today.”
So well said. I am so proud you wrote this because it has to be a comfort to the Mull family. This man really is a hero and he will be remembered as one by all the people who know that he saved their lives, among others. Thank you and God Bless the Mull family who are left and God please keep Your arms around them to give them some kind of comfort.
Bless you for writing this. Sometimes in times of loss, it is hard to remember the heroic things that may have happened. It doesn’t bring back Glenn, Elaine, Amy or Sami, but it helps us to know that you all know what special people they were!
Geez, I’m don’t know anyone from either town, but I am a husband and father of 4. After reading the letter and so many of the comments, I’m holding back tears. Tragedy and blessing… touching each other and touching the lives of so many. Grace and peace to the family and friends who were impacted by this event. I’ll be giving my kids extra long hugs at bed-time tonight.
Geez, I don’t know anyone from either town, but I am a husband and
father of 4. After reading the letter and so many of the comments, I’m
holding back tears. Tragedy and blessing… touching each other and
touching the lives of so many. Grace and peace to the family and
friends who were impacted by this event. I’ll be giving my kids extra
long hugs at bed-time tonight.
Thank you for your post Lindsey, my prescious 9 yr old nephew and my wonderful sister were at the Y that night. By the time they made it home, my nephew knew that the pilot (we did not know their names yet) was a hero and that everyone in the plane died. All week I keep thinking about how I litterally owe the Mull Family for my family’s lives. Our community is incredibly grateful and humbled by their actions on Monday and we are mourning this beautiful family very deeply. We will never forget them.
From another Bellevue Mom, thank you for saying my thoughts exactly! May God bless their family members and all who knew and loved them.
This is so beautiful and sweet. Well done; I’m sure his family takes solace in the fact that he was a hero during this tough time.
And now I’m crying after reading every one of these comments.
This reminds me so much of a selfless hero my youth camp taught us when we were kids. The pilot of a plane that was going down chose to sacrifice his own life and crash in a field rather than bail out and let the plane crash into a community. This story was used to teach the “I’m Third” lesson. Christ first, others second, and yourself last. This man is the perfect example of selfless love in action. Bless his family.
Thank You from Western Kansas.
Thank You from Western Kansas. Where respect is still there towards your neighbors. A wave as a passing car could be a complete stranger. Small towns make you feel special.
Thank you Lindsay, this letter was a thoughtful, caring message that has brought comfort to family and to those of us who were friends of Glenn, Elaine, Amy and Samantha. As you can imagine this is a very difficult time for all of us but your letter helped make a difference. We are also very grateful that no one on the ground was hurt. Thanks again and please know that your kindness in putting these thoughts into writing have been a blessing during this difficult time.
I was notified of this tragedy a few days ago from a Kansas relative who forwarded the write-up in The Wichita Eagle and I wanted to relay a personal connection. I grew up in Pawnee Rock and knew Glen’s parents, Keith and Marian. In fact my older sister was a classmate of them. I had the privilege of meeting Glen a few years ago and learning a story about how my father, Cobb Miller, gave out candy to all the little children in the community as he was delivering heating fuel or gasoline to his customers. As with Glen, both he and my father were servants to the community. Now comes the conclusion; Ironically, my son, Kyle Miller works as the sound man for The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, headquartered in Nashville, and lives about 10 miles east of the crash site just off White Bridge Road and IH 40. When I talked to my son this past week about the crash I realized he too, could have been spared his life by the quick thinking and decision making that Glen performed by guiding his plane to a vacated spot free of ground habitation at the time. I met you only once Glen, but I’ll never forget you and the final heroic action that ended your life but saved the lives of many others. May you and your family forever rest in peace.