
Honoring The Ones Before Us

Featured in Wrightsville Beach Magazine

Featured In North Brunswick Magazine
We are Veterans Memorial Reef – Veterans Serving Veterans
Veterans Memorial Reef is a non-profit veteran organization that honors fallen heroes by placing them in a unique aquatic memorial so they may be laid to rest at sea. First, their remains are transferred to an aquatic urn which is sealed in a concrete memorial marker. The memorial marker is lowered to the seafloor to become an artificial reef.
Our reef is located off the coast of Carolina and Wrightsville Beach, NC. Through this commemoration, we can honor their passing while sustaining marine life and helping to ensure the integrity of our coastline.

Our Mission
Our mission is to honor those who have served with distinction in the US Armed Forces. We commemorate their passing through remembrance and emphasize education about the history of the US military—past, present, and future—and our marine ecosystem. This technology will aid in preserving, rehabilitating, and protecting our natural ocean reef ecosystems by integrating artificial memorial markers with reef technologies.
Our Goals
Veterans Memorial Reef is a 501(c) 3 publicly supported non-profit veteran-operated organization. We strive to honor our fallen heroes through memorial services with the following goals in mind.
Recognize
We aim to recognize every veteran who served honorably in the United States Military.
Commemorate
We commemorate their decorations and awards received in service.
Educate
We work with higher education institutions to use the Veterans Memorial Reef site for monitoring marine biology areas, promoting the preservation and supporting the future growth of marine life.
Rehabilitate
Our reef memorials provide areas for fish to breed and hide from predators. Create surfaces for reef spores to attach to and thrive. Increase reef growth to boost oxygen levels. Improve areas for recreational fishing and scuba diving.

Benefits
Veterans Memorial Reef is not VA Affiliated but we can assist to the best of our ability the surviving spouse, children, or family members with the benefits they may be eligible to receive at the below links.
History
A few years ago, while reading National Geographic, Thomas Marcinowski saw an article about the underwater city of Atlantis memorial. The concept consisted of people scattering remains while scuba diving or placing memorial stones to form reefs to honor people who recently passed away.
Seizing upon this idea, he decided this would be an excellent way to honor recently deceased veterans. And thus, the idea for Veterans Memorial Reef was born. Thomas collaborated with friends Joe Irrera and Alex Cupernall to make this idea a reality.
Leadership
Thomas E. Marcinowski, Founder/CEO
Joe Irrera, Vice President of Operations
Chris Dehart, Board Member
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information about our services, or if you or a family member are in need of assistance, please reach out to our Veteran Services Coordinator. We are here to support and guide you through the resources available to veterans and their families.
Email us at: contact@veteransmemorialreef.org for more details or assistance.
