The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the education, welfare and morale of all U.S. Coast Guard members and their families, announced that it has re-activated its emergency Family Disaster Relief Fund in response to the Oct. 29 C-130 crash off the California coast. The Coast Guard Foundation is asking for financial support to assist the families of the lost crew of CG-1705. The Family Disaster Relief Fund was established in September 2008 in the wake of the helicopter crash in Hawaii that resulted in the loss of 4 Coast Guard members.
The Coast Guard has identified the missing personnel as Lt. Cmdr. Che J. Barnes of Capay, California, aircraft commander, age 35; Petty Officer 2nd Class Monica L. Beacham of Decaturville, Tennessee, radio operator, age 29; Lt. Adam W. Bryant of Crewe, Virginia, co-pilot, age 28; Petty Officer 2nd Class Carl P. Grigonis of Mayfield Heights, Ohio, navigator, age 35; Petty Officer 3rd Class Danny R. Kreder II of Elm Mott, Texas, drop master, age 22; Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason S. Moletzsky of Norristown, Pennsylvania, air crew, age 26; and Chief Petty Officer John F. Seidman of Stockton, California, flight engineer, age 43.
“At this difficult time, our thoughts and prayers go out to the crew, their families and the entire Coast Guard,” said Anne Brengle, president of the Coast Guard Foundation. “This incident serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers these heroes face every day, and why the Foundation is dedicated to serve and support them and their families. We hope that others will join us in coming to their aid.”
The Coast Guard Foundation is working with the Coast Guard to plan a memorial service for the fallen, which will take place Nov. 6 at Air Station Sacramento in California.
The Coast Guard Foundation will also assist the families through the Fallen Heroes Scholarship Program, which provides scholarship support to the children of Coast Guard members who die in the line of service to our country.
Those wishing to support the Family Disaster Relief Fund, the Fallen Heroes Scholarship Fund or the CG-1705 Memorial Service Fund may visit the Coast Guard Foundation’s website (www.coastguardfoundation.org), call the Foundation at 860-535-0786 or fax a note to 860-535-0944 with donation information and a reference to the CG-1705 Disaster Relief.