Today (September 4, 2009) marks the one year anniversary of the tragic crash of Coast Guard Helicopter 6505 off of Honolulu. This morning, a memorial was dedicated at Air Station Barbers Point to the memory of the four Coast Guardsmen that lost their lives during that tragic accident:

CDR Thomas Nelson
LCDR Andrew Wischmeier
AST1 David Skimin
AMT2 Joshua Nichols

as well as to those that lost their lives in another tragic accident off the island of Molokai during a Search and Rescue case on January 7, 1982:

LCDR Horton Johnson
LT Colleen Cain
AD2 David Thompson

Here is the link to the thread that took place last year for those unfamiliar with the 6505 incident.


http://forums.military.com/eve.../m/9040088791001/p/1

Here is a Navy Times article from yesterday about the memorial and the ongoing investigation:

"http://www.navytimes.com/news/2009/09/coastguard_memorial_090309w/"

May we all take a moment of silence today to honor their memories. Continue to keep the family and friends of these Guardians in your thoughts and prayers.

Shipmates, we thank you for your service to our Coast Guard and our country. Rest in Peace. We have the watch.

Forever in out memory. Forever in our hearts.

Semper Paratus.

They figure out a cause yet?

RIP 6505 crew....you are missed.....

You tube video about the story of the five Coast Guard Ensigns that traveled around the country in memory of the 6505 crew. Awesome story.

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZCRGx5YPsQ>

Press releases from D14 Public Affairs regarding Friday's memorial dedication:

<http://uscghawaii.com/go/doc/800/320849/>

<http://uscghawaii.com/go/doc/800/320841/>


Hawaii TV news coverage of the memorial dedication:

<http://www.kitv.com/video/20739316/index.html>

<http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/20834/40/>

<http://www.khon2.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=1731@khon.web.entriq.net&navCatId=3>


Hawaii newspaper coverage of the memorial dedication:

<http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20090905/NEWS08/909050329/Coast+Guard+honors+crews+killed+in+crashes>

You and your crew members of CG-6505 are forever in our thoughts and memories, Dave. May God continue to comfort and guide the families and loved ones of the CG-6505 crew.

"...which way are we going today, Dave?..."

RIP Gentlemen