Friends and family members marked the fifth anniversary of the Swissair disaster in Peggy's Cove Tuesday, the last time they may hold an organized memorial.

Swissair Flight 111 plunged into the water near Peggy's Cove on Sept. 2, 1998, killing all 229 people on board.

Memorial service in Peggy's Cove.
Memorial service in Peggy's Cove.

Bouquets of daisies and roses surrounded the base of the monument in Bayswater, N.S. as a flutist and bagpipers played music. Following a moment's silence, a helicopter circled the area and dropped a wreath on the crash site.

"It feels right to be here on this day," says Claire Mortimer, who lost her father John and his wife Hilda in the crash.

Remembering the victims.
Remembering the victims.

"It always felt odd to be elsewhere in the world and trying to conjure up a connection to those who are here observing the anniversary."

My emotions are on high," says Chris Hubley, who co-ordinated rescue efforts for Halifax Regional Search and Rescue. "We did strike friendships the following year at the first memorial."

The fifth anniversary of the crash may mark the last time an organized memorial is held at the site.

The final Transportation Safety Board report into the crash was released earlier this year, and officials say many families want to move on with their lives.