VMGR Memorial Monument - Honoring the Service and Sacrifice of those who gave ALL

MCATA

The Marine Corps has been flying the Lockheed KC-130 since 1962. In that time, pilots and aircrew of the Marine Aerial Refueler Transport (VMGR) Squadrons have logged millions of miles and flight hours. They have performed their missions magnificently around the globe in peace and war. But the Corps has tragically lost 8 aircraft, 43 aircrew, 68 passengers and YET there is NO memorial recognizing these fallen heroes. Well that is about to be corrected with the proposed building of a “VMGR Memorial Monument” at the Semper Fidelis Memorial Park, located at the National Museum of the Marine Corps.

The memorial, will cost an estimated $180,000. This includes the cost of materials, design, production, installation and maintenance. The memorial has been approved for construction by the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation so this will happen! When, will the project be complete? Well, that depends on when the necessary funds are raised. Ground was broken in September 2022 and construction could take as much as a year to complete. The monument will be made of black granite and will have the bureau number of each aircraft lost with the number of crew and passenger fatalities. To learn about the drive behind to build such a monument, watch this YOU-TUBE VIDEO.