“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
Aviation Machinist Mate Second Class David Thompson

Who on 7 January 1982 also made the ultimate sacrifice in a HH-52 while on a SAR mission to save the lives of others.  It is our duty to remember these crews and to preserve their legacy for generations to come.  A memorial site will be constructed and dedicated on 4 September 2009 at Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point Hawaii.

In order to 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.  The following website has information and the form to make a donation through the purchase of an engraved brick.

http://my.brixbase.biz/coastguard6505/

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 two lines with 22 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 3 lines with 22 characters available per line.