WILMINGTON — A growing shortage of burial space led to the creation of a memorial reef off the coast of southeastern North Carolina. This weekend ahead of Memorial Day, the Veterans Memorial Reef will honor 10 fallen U.S. military service members.
On Monday, May 18, their remains will be laid to rest at sea. This year’s event will honor two World War II–era veterans and pay tribute to the “Greatest Generation,” while recognizing the 250th anniversary of the United States. Veterans from the Korean and the Vietnam wars will also be honored.
Located 5 miles off the coast of Carolina and Wrightsville beaches, the reef already serves as the resting place for 30 veterans and can accommodate up to 2,500. Each year, 10 veteran are honored, with the reef engineered to also support marine life and preserve the coastline.
“We believe those who have served, continue to serve as the reef offers not only a lasting tribute to our veterans but also benefits marine ecosystems and coastal resilience,” Veteran’s Memorial Reef’s President Thomas Marcinowski said in a release.
Marcinowski is a U.S. Army veteran and founded the nonprofit in 2019. He works alongside marine scientists and students at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, plus has a partnership with Natrix, a pioneer in adaptive infrastructure and nature-based coastal resiliency solutions.
A weekend of commemoration is planned to honor the 10 armed forces members, starting with a private event for family on Friday, May 15, in Southport. Those in attendance place their loved ones’ remains in an urn and personalize the memorial markers, share stories, take photos, and celebrate each veteran’s life.
A plaque bearing the veteran’s name is affixed to each marker, then placed at a depth of approximately 52 feet and oriented to face east, symbolically toward the rising sun.
Then on Saturday, May 16, a ceremony takes place with individual eulogies, flag presentation and honors. The Wilmington Police Pipes and Drums will perform “Amazing Grace” and the event takes place at Fort Johnston-Southport Museum & Visitors Center, 203 E. Bay St., starting at 10:30 a.m.
At 8:30 a.m. on Monday, May 18, families board a boat in Carolina Beach. The markers are transported to the site by McPherson Marine Services aboard a sea barge.
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