Non-Profit Veteran Organization in Carolina Beach, NC | Veterans Memorial Reef

Honoring The Ones Before Us

Join us for our first annual luncheon to benefit Veterans Memorial Reef on May 22, 2024 from 11:30am - 1:00pm at The Terraces at Sir Tyler. Check out our Upcoming Events Page to RSVP and for additional information. We hope to see you there!

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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 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.

Non-Profit Veteran Organization in Carolina Beach, NC | Veterans Memorial Reef

Our Mission

Our mission is to recognize those who have honorably served in the US Armed Forces.  We memorialize their passing through commemoration and also emphasize education of both the US military (past, present, or future) history and our marine ecosystem. This technology will help to preserve, rehabilitate, and protect our natural ocean reef ecosystems by integrating the artificial Memorial Marker to 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
  • Honor each and every veteran and, via their DD214, recognize awards and decorations they received.
Educate
  • Teach the general public the meaning of the awards that military personnel receive.
  • Share the reason and importance on why the veteran received the award.
  • Partner with Institutions of Higher Learning to use the Veteran Memorial Reef sites to track areas of marine biology to continue the preservation and encourage future growth of marine life.
Rehabilitate
  • Provide surfaces for reef spores to attach and grow.
  • Expand reef growth to increase oxygen levels.
  • Reef memorials provide areas for fish to breed and hide from predators.
  • Improve areas for recreational fishing and scuba diving.
Veteran Memorial in Carolina Beach, NC | Veterans Memorial Reef

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 Marcinowski in Carolina Beach, NC | Veterans Memorial Reef

Thomas Marcinowski, CEO/President

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.

Joe Irrera in Carolina Beach, NC | Veterans Memorial Reef

Joe Irrera, Vice President of Development

Joe Irrera joined the Veterans Memorial Reef board of directors and was named chairman in June 2019. After earning his bachelor’s degree at UNCW, he was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. Joe later obtained a master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. Joe served as an Artillery Officer for 10 years and then as an Intelligence Officer for the next 20 years. He retired as a Marine Colonel in 2014 after 30 years of military service. His military service has taken him around the globe, including two tours of duty in Iraq and a tour of duty in Afghanistan.

In addition to his military background, Joe has extensive experience in the private sector. For over 20 years, he provided sales, operations, training, marketing, and management expertise to companies such as PPD, Chiltern, and Novartis. He has also provided training, operations, and management to individuals and companies in the defense industry. Additionally, Joe has taught numerous master’s degree program courses to others.

Joe is active in civic and veteran organizations such as The Azalea Festival, The Marine Corps League, American Legion, VFW, Military Officers Association of America, and other New Hanover County community organizations.

Joe graduated from the Marine Corps Command and Staff College and the U.S. Army Ranger School. He is authorized to wear the Navy-Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia and permanent wear of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge.

Alex Cupernall in Carolina Beach, NC | Veterans Memorial Reef

Jessica "JJ" Robinson, Vice President of Operations

Jessica moved to the Wilmington NC area in 2015 from a small town in southern Ohio to start business with her business partner stationed at Camp Lejeune. She is currently one of three business partners that owns and runs No Limit Pub Poker Tour. Jessica first came across Veterans Memorial Reef in May of 2022 at one of their Poker Charity Events. In August 2022 Jessica’s company No Limit Coastal NC held a charity poker tournament to help raise funds for Veterans Memorial Reef. She decided to continue her journey with Veterans Memorial Reef as a volunteer until April 2023 when she became a member of the Board of Directors. Jessica looks forward to continue to work alongside all the people who believe in our MISSION and to see it succeed beyond anything we can imagine.

Dr. Henry Pierpan in Carolina Beach, NC | Veterans Memorial Reef

Kelly Stewart, Chairman

Kelly has worked with Veterans Memorial Reef for the past three years, and was grateful to be involved for their inagural launch and a part of every launch since then. She was drawn to the foundation because of the unique concept. Her Grandfathers both served in the Navy and she is an avid scuba diver, past instructor, and has dove all over the world. She currenlty works for Atlantic Bay Mortgage and will soon be transitioning to a Liscenced Production Partner. She is proud to have called Wilmington home for the past fifteen years and is excited to be able to continue her work with the foundation.

Patricia Kusek in Carolina Beach, NC | Veterans Memorial Reef

Chrissy Sanford, Board Member

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 312th Field Hospital included Weight Control Officer, multiple Company Commands, Range Control Officer, and Training Officer.  She transferred to the 414th 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 414th 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.

Timothy Bailey in Carolina Beach, NC | Veterans Memorial Reef

Chris DeHart, Board Member

Chris DeHart is a man that wears many hats, Collegiate Athlete, Veteran of Iraq, Father of 2 amazing kids, Husband to a beautiful wife, award winning sales person, incredible motivator, proven leader and business owner. Chris started All About Energy Solutions in 2010. With constant growth every year, All About Energy Solutions is working to become a leader in the energy savings industry. Chris is excited to add a new hat to his collection by joining Veterans Memorial Reef as a member of the Board in December of 2022. He has become instrumental in setting up and running our Poker Tournaments and has become an asset to the Board with his willingness and ability to get things done. Finally, the best way to summarize Chris DeHart is to share his favorite quote, “The future belongs to those that believe in the beauty of their DREAMS!”

Patricia Kusek in Carolina Beach, NC | Veterans Memorial Reef

Robbyn Marino, Executive Administrative Assistant

Timothy Bailey in Carolina Beach, NC | Veterans Memorial Reef

Jennifer Crossen, Treasurer

Jen Crosson grew up as a Navy kid, and enjoyed perks like Tiger Cruises and running around ships like they were her playground.  She is a bookkeeper and is thankful for the opportunity to use those skills to benefit Veteran’s Memorial Reef.

Patricia Kusek in Carolina Beach, NC | Veterans Memorial Reef

Nichole Tooker Czajkowski, Community Outreach

Timothy Bailey in Carolina Beach, NC | Veterans Memorial Reef

If you have any questions, please contact  Joe Irrera at 910-264-5372 today!

Joe Irrera
Phone: 910-264-5372 
Email: vmrirrera@gmail.com 

Thomas Marcinowski
Phone: 910-547-9277
Email: vmrmarcinowski@gmail.com

Veteran Memorial in Carolina Beach, NC | Veterans Memorial Reef

Veterans Memorial Reef
419 Raleigh St. Ste. C
Wilmington, NC 28412

Hours: 24/7