 Some family members were
there to witness the casting of their loved one's Memorial Reef. Family members are
allowed to participate with the casting as much as they desire. |
 After the casting is done,
many family members put hand prints in the concrete for one last touch with their loved
one. |
 Holding hands one last time. |
 On November 2, 2003 families came for the viewing of the Memorial Reefs. |
 A husband, a
father ,a grandfather and a friend. |
 Saying goodbye to a
daughter. |
 Families gather for
pictures and a chance for a smile. |
 A look from inside the Memorial Reef |
 Military Honors are
earned and delivered to our families at the viewing. |
 We work with the families
and military to provide the tribute to these honored individuals. |
 The families are
presented with the flag by the representative of the nation they served. |
 The Memorial Reef
of the honored individual. |
 Families draw, write
and make their mark on the Memorial Reefs to say one last goodbye. One family member
asked why are we doing this? Her daughter said " To make us feel good!" |
 November 3, 2003 - A small memorial on the boat in dedication of the days events and the reefs to be placed. |
 On this day, the waters
were too rough for the actual placement of the memorial reefs. We provided the
families with a chance to dedicate the site and perform a symbolic placement of a
miniature reef. The families adorn the memorials with flowers. |
 Each family is given time
to prepare and place the symbolic memorial. |
 Families, in unison,
place flowers over the location of the Memorial Reefs. President John F. Kennedy's
"the Sea" speech is read. The ship's horn is sounded and dedication is
complete. |
 The flowers float away
with the tide as a final farewell. |
 The ride home is a time
of reflection and thoughts as we head back to the dock. Dolphins and birds of may
types are observed. |
