We are Veterans Memorial Reef – Veterans Serving Veterans

Thomas Marcinowski Jr. joined the US Air Force in 1987 as a medic, serving on Active Duty during Desert Storm, Operation Provide Comfort, and Provide Hope. He transferred from Active Duty to the Air Force Reserves to attend East Carolina University while flying around the world as an Aeromedical Evacuation Medic.

Upon graduation, he went on to earn his degree as a Physician Assistant and joined the North Carolina Army National Guard. He was activated in the early days of Operation Iraqi Freedom, serving in a combat area with the Infantry as the Battalion Aid Surgeon.

He completed the US Army Flight Surgeon Course and finished his career as the NC deputy state flight surgeon in 2012.

Thomas left practicing medicine in the civilian sector to join the VA to continue serving and providing medical care to his fellow veterans. He remains active in the community. He serves as Vice President of another non-profit organization, keepthebeatalive.org, and volunteers in school and Boy Scout fundraisers.

Alex Cupernall participated in the early stages of Veterans Memorial Reef while it was still a dream. He and Thomas would discuss thoughts and ideas on how to go about creating the organization. Alex has served as the Vice-Chairman since July 2019. Being a dependent of a father of a US Marine led to staying in the family business. Alex renounced his dual citizenship from the Netherlands to enlist in the Marine Corps in 1998 as an Infantryman. He was in the first wave of Operation Iraqi Freedom, serving 8 years in the Marine Corps.

After an Honorable discharge from the Marine Corps and missing his brothers and sisters in arms, Alex went to work for Veterans Health Affairs. He served as the Health Benefits Advisor assisting veterans in enrolling into the VA healthcare system. In December 2020, he transferred to the Veterans Benefits division of the VA as the Legal Administrative/Public Contact Representative to assist veterans and family members in ensuring they receive guidance and assistance.

Alex is a single dad of twin girls, Alicia and Alexis, and sons, Alex Jr and Nate. He served as a coach for his daughters’ softball team and assisted as a football coach for his sons. Alex is an active member of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association 15-4.

Chrissy Sanford became a member of the Veteran Memorial Reef Board of Directors in December, 2022.  She joined the US Army in 1991 when she received a direct commission into the US Army Reserves, Army Nurse Corps.  Her duty responsibilities in the 312^th Field Hospital included Weight Control Officer, multiple Company Commands, Range Control Officer, and Training Officer.  She transferred to the 414^th Civil Affairs Battalion where she deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2006-07.  There, she served as the Baghdad Provincial Reconstruction Team Education Liaison to the Iraqi government and 414^th CA BN Public Health Officer.  She retired as an Army Colonel in 2011 after 20 years of military service.  Her military service took her around the world, mostly participating in medical missions.  Her military awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and several others. 

While serving in the US Army Nurse Corps, she practiced as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at Duke University Medical Center Pediatric Emergency Department, faculty at the Duke University School of Nursing, Wilmington Health Access for Teens, and was a Pediatric medical provider at the Betty Cameron Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Wilmington, NC.   Her formal education includes degrees from Tompkins-Cortland Community College, North Carolina Central University, UNC Greensboro, and Duke University.

Chrissy is active in several community organizations including Honor Flight of the Cape Fear Area, Military Officers Association of America and volunteers at the Wilson Center.  Her commitment to Veterans and their families is unparalleled.