Time Running Out for Coast Guard Memorial

On the night of 4 September 2008 Coast Guard helicopter 6505 was conducting an over-water training mission south of Honolulu, Hawaii. While delivering a rescue basket to a Coast Guard Motor Lifeboat something went terribly wrong and the aircraft descended to the water with two pilots, a flight mechanic and a rescue swimmer onboard.

On this fateful night the following men lost their lives:

Commander Thomas Nelson
Lieutenant Commander Andrew Wischmeier
Aviation Survival Technician First Class David Skimin
Aviation Maintenance Technician Second Class Joshua Nichols.

These men joined another Air Station Barbers Point crew, the Crew of Coast Guard helicopter 1420; Lieutenant Commander Horton Johnson, Lieutenant Colleen Cain and Aviation Machinist Mate Second Class David Thompson who also made the ultimate sacrifice in a HH-52 on 7 January 1982 while on a mission to save the lives of others.

In order to preserve the legacy of these Guardians for generations to come, a memorial site is being constructed at Air Station Barbers Point Hawaii. To accomplish this, the Coast Guard Aviation Association is managing a fundraiser to raise the approximately $50,000 it will cost to fund the memorial.

The goal of those involved in the memorial site is that it be constructed in time so that it can dedicated on September 4, 2009.

In order to help fund the creation of this memorial you or your group may purchase and engrave a brick to be used in construction of the pathway leading to the memorial.  Bricks must be ordered by April 14, so there’s only a week left to order.

When considering your donation amount please remember that tens of thousands of dollars must be raised to ensure the success of this timeless remembrance.

Standard 4 inch by 8 inch bricks may be donated by individuals for a minimum donation of $60. Your text may be up to 3 lines with 16 characters available per line.

Larger 8 inch by 8 inch bricks may be donated by groups for a minimum donation of $250. Your text may be up to 5 lines with 16 characters available per line.

For additional information or to purchase a brick, please visit http://my.brixbase.biz/coastguard6505/

There’s a nice story in the Honolulu Advertiser that describes the memorial design and construction plans.