HOW IT WORKS / FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Those Who Served, Continue to Serve.
A meaningful farewell. A living legacy at sea. We’ll guide your family through each step of honoring your veteran.
Every marker holds a story. Every veteran is remembered.
ONE MEMORIAL. TWO LASTING LEGACIES.
Remembering a life.
Restoring life below.
Your loved one’s cremains are placed in an aquatic urn and incorporated into a specially designed memorial marker.
Off the North Carolina coast, that marker becomes part of a permanent artificial reef—honoring a veteran’s legacy while supporting marine habitat. This memorial at sea also offers an alternative as land for traditional burial becomes less available.
THE COMMEMORATION PROCESS
Three moments of remembrance.
Time to create a personal tribute, honor a life of service, and say farewell at sea.
A familiar person at every step.
Your family’s VMR liaison is here before, during, and after the commemoration. They’ll confirm your schedule and help you prepare. Talk with our team →
01 / PERSONALIZE
Memorializing the marker
Gather at a designated location to transfer your loved one’s cremains into a specially designed aquatic urn. The urn is carefully incorporated into the memorial marker for placement on the reef.
Leave a personal reflection of their life through messages, handprints, small mementos, or a time capsule.
A tribute as individual as the veteran it honors.
02 / HONOR
The Fallen Heroes Ceremony
Come together to honor each veteran individually. Military honors are rendered when eligible and appropriate to the veteran’s branch of service.
After the ceremony, families are welcome to spend time at their loved one’s marker and take photographs.
BEFORE THE CEREMONY
Share their story.
Provide the DD-214 as early as possible to help coordinate military honors and create a personalized veteran biography.
The ceremony is outdoors. Dress for the forecast.
03 / DEDICATE
A final farewell at sea
Travel approximately five miles off Carolina Beach to witness the marker’s placement on Veterans Memorial Reef. At the reef, the family vessel meets the barge carrying the memorial markers.
Each veteran’s name is read, followed by a nautical tribute and time for personal farewells, photographs, and flowers. After the markers are placed, the vessel circles the reef before returning to shore.
SPACE FOR YOUR FAMILY
Up to four guests.
Family transportation is provided aboard the Vonda Kay. Let your liaison know who will join you.
Flowers are provided for each tribute.
Your commemoration includes three main events. Your liaison will confirm the dates and schedule; sea placement depends on weather, vessel availability, and final approval.
ANSWERS FOR YOUR FAMILY
A little clarity. A little peace of mind.
Practical details to help you prepare for the commemoration and your time on the coast.
Contributions & planning ahead
What is the contribution for a memorial service?
The contribution or pledge for a memorial service is $5,000. If you are planning ahead, you may fulfill your pledge through monthly contributions.
Can I make a monthly pledge while planning ahead?
Yes. Those planning ahead may pledge monthly toward the $5,000 memorial service contribution. Contact our team to discuss your monthly pledge and get help with the next steps.
How do we make our contributions?
We use Zeffy, a secure online fundraising platform for nonprofit organizations, to process contributions. Our team can help you get started with your memorial service contribution or monthly pledge.
Can a spouse or pet accompany the veteran in the same marker?
One marker, two lives. Spouses and pets may accompany the veteran in the same memorial marker at no additional charge. Let your VMR liaison know your wishes so they can help you plan this shared tribute.
Preparing together
Who will guide our family?
Each family or representative is assigned a personal VMR liaison—a point of contact before, during, and after the commemoration. Your liaison can help with questions, concerns, and the event arrangements.
Do we need to attend every event?
No. Families and representatives are encouraged to participate in all events, but attendance is optional. A head count is required for the dedication at sea because boat spaces are limited. Let your liaison know your plans.
What documents should we provide?
Please provide your loved one’s DD-214 to the VMR team as early as possible. It helps VMR coordinate with the Department of Veterans Affairs and local military personnel to confirm eligibility for military honors, and helps prepare a personalized biography for the Fallen Heroes page.
How can we personalize the memorial marker?
Families are invited to add small mementos, written messages, handprints, or a time capsule reflecting the veteran’s life and legacy. Talk with your liaison about the personal touches you would like to include.
What military honors may be included?
When eligible and appropriate to the veteran’s branch of service, honors are conducted by the Honor Guard and service-specific personnel. They may include a flag detail, rifle salute, “Taps,” and the ceremonial folding and presentation of the flag. Each veteran is honored individually.
Planning the dedication at sea
When do the events take place?
VMR’s event sequence generally begins on Friday and culminates on Monday, weather permitting. The dedication at sea typically takes place two days after the Fallen Heroes Ceremony. Your liaison will confirm the dates, times, and locations for your family. Reef placement depends on weather, vessel availability, and final approval from the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries.
How many family members can travel on the boat?
Transportation to the reef is provided aboard the Vonda Kay, with up to four guests per family for safety and capacity reasons. Families may also charter a private vessel at their own expense. Confirm your head count with your liaison.
Where and when do we board?
VMR will confirm the marina and departure time once scheduled. Departure is generally at 8:00 a.m.; please arrive at least 30 minutes early for check-in and accountability. The administrative office is not the boarding location.
How long should we allow for the trip?
Allow flexibility in your plans. The time on the water depends on weather and the number of honorees. Ask your liaison for the confirmed departure details and expected return window before making onward travel arrangements.
What should we wear or bring?
The Fallen Heroes Ceremony takes place outdoors, so check the forecast and dress for the conditions. For the dedication at sea, prepare for wind and sea spray and stay hydrated. If you are prone to motion sickness, plan ahead. Flowers are provided for the tribute; you are also welcome to bring your own. There will be opportunities for photographs and personal farewells.
ALONG THE NORTH CAROLINA COAST
Plan your visit.
Ceremonies take place across Southport, Wilmington, and Carolina Beach. Your liaison will confirm the locations for each event.
THE MEMORIAL REEF
A place to remember.
Approximately five miles off Carolina Beach.
34°06.331’N
77°45.025’W
TIME ON THE COAST
Three welcoming communities.
Explore waterfront towns, local military history, and Wilmington’s Battleship North Carolina. Nearby Wrightsville, Carolina, and Kure beaches offer time to reflect between events.
HELP THIS LEGACY CONTINUE
There’s a place for you in our mission.
LET’S TAKE THE NEXT STEP, TOGETHER
Here for veterans.
Here for their families.
You don’t have to navigate the details alone. Start a veteran application, or speak with our team about your family’s questions.
CALL OUR TEAM
EMAIL US
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE · BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
7 Beauregard Drive
Wilmington, NC 28412
