Memorial Squadron

10/21/2026

Look what we do as Americans...some may say "a waste of taxpayer dollars" others "why do we risk our lives for other nations' citizens"...
Read the below article to simply be amazed and proud of our nation's values and armed services.
Well, I can say first-hand I asked myself the same question once...after the most dangerous mission I've ever flown in the Marine Corps (night vision goggles, through oil well fires, on a MEDEVAC es**rt mission (protecting the ambulance helicopters) we landed at the field hospital to find out we just risked all of our lives to rescue enemy wounded. After some non-productive thoughts...I came to the realization..."as Americans, it's what we do"...
Ultimately, this is not a story about me, but about American values.
And some photos of the lucky fellas that were saved that day...
Please click the link to read the article about the Alaska ANG rescue. Amazing.
https://ak.ng.mil/Media/News-Article-View/Article/4620233/alaska-air-national-guard-combat-rescue-officer-recalls-rescue-jump-in-the-nort/

09/24/2026

A very cool opportunity was presented for Memorial Squadron to welcome the Mexican Navy Tall Ship ARM Cuauhtémoc (BE-01) to San Francisco on its "Pacifico Norte" cruise.
The ship is a training vessel for the Mexican Navy Midshipmen who attend the Mexican Naval Academy.
We were able to get some photos of the ship crossing under the Golden Gate Bridge. Later in the day we were welcomed aboard as VIP's for a personal tour of the ship.
A very cool ship and a very kind Captain and crew.
Seems the Port of SF also did a wonderful job of welcoming our neighbors to the south.

09/16/2026

'Tis getting toward the birthday season of all of our Armed Services... sorry, Army, you were first, and I missed your birthday, June 14th...251 proud years of service! Coast Guard, Aug. 4th, 236 years of protecting our shores and saving lives...
No matter your politics or your beliefs on current events, please remember that the nation's ultimate military authority, as written into the Constitution, rests in the hands of elected officials chosen by the people.
Our service birthdays:
National Guard: December 13, 1636 (established as colonial militias)
U.S. Army: June 14, 1775
U.S. Navy: October 13, 1775
U.S. Marine Corps: November 10, 1775 BORN IN A BAR!!! Tun Tavern, Philadelphia. Go see it; it has been restored and proudly shares its history as "the sole recruiting location for Marines in the entire country!" in that era.
U.S. Coast Guard: August 4, 1790
U.S. Air Force: September 18, 1947
U.S. Space Force: December 20, 2019
Centuries of service and sacrifice for our nation.
As the birthday season arrives, each service proudly celebrates...but as a Marine...November 10th is a nearly sacred day! Ooh Rah!
Happy Birthday, ARMY, NAVY, AIR FORCE, MARINES, COAST GUARD, AND SPACE FORCE!!!

09/13/2026

Rio Vista Airport Day in support of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.
Flight of 7 with 4 passes at the airport.
Led by Scrump, with wings: Wannabe, Turbo, and Flynn. Second flight lead: Tater, with wings Vroom, and Discharge.
An extremely windy day, but the wings flew very well in such challenging conditions.
More photos to follow if provided by the ground...

09/13/2026

9/11 Memorial Event at the All Wars Memorial, Danville.
Flight of four, 3 x T-34A's and one CJ-6
Led by Scrump, the wingmen (and wingwoman) were TooTight, Flynn, and Toulouse...
TooTight executed the "Missing Man" pull from the formation.
Memories of those lost...a fellow high school student in American 11, Dianne (Bullis) Snyder; fellow United Airlines pilots and crew; and friends from the Marine Corps, LtCol David "Rhino" Greene, amongst others, who were killed in the war on terror.
All of us have connections to that day; prayers for all, and for the end of terrorism. Never Forget.

07/17/2026

Memorial Squadron USA 250th Independence Day Flight:
Led by Marvin, with Angel as co-pilot in Marvin's bird.
Flight was performed over the Danville area after the Danville Parade, the Concord Airport, Yountville Veterans Home of California, SS Jeremiah O'Brien, National Liberty Ship Memorial O'Brien, and the USS Hornet - Sea, Air and Space Museum.
Thanks to Marvin, Angel, WannaBe, Varun, Yasho, Second Lead Wolf, Martin, Leeroy and Jamey.
As always, thanks to those who support our mission: Livermore Air Traffic Control and NorCal Air Traffic Control, and Five Rivers Aviation at Livermore Airport. https://www.facebook.com/fly5rivers
https://www.facebook.com/reel/36927153626931159

05/26/2026

Today, Memorial Squadron pilots flew multiple events honoring our nation’s fallen heroes on this Memorial Day.

To each and every pilot who volunteered your time, passion, energy, and professionalism—thank you. It was the first Memorial Day in 8 years that I have not flown personally, and watching all of you carry forward our mission made me incredibly proud.

I’d also like to sincerely thank our partners at NorCal TRACON, Livermore Airport, and Five Rivers Aviation for your continued support and teamwork. None of this happens alone.

Most importantly, we remember and honor those who gave everything for our country. As always, some personal prayers are going out to my lost USMC squadronmates and their families today. Miss you guys. Godspeed Marines.
The flights today were staffed by 12 pilots, probably from 8 different airports, all braving the weather and safely flying these tributes. Both flight leads were civilians. Civilians honoring our military in this way is very special. Thank You.
USS Hornet - Sea, Air and Space Museum Missing Man flyover:
Led by Marvin, the second lead was Turbo.
The wing pilots were Paul D, Wolf, Martin, Emil, Peter C, and Doug.
California Home for Veterans, Yountville, flight members were:
DedStik, Lead pilot, Wings were Discharge, Krusty, and Greg B.
If you would like to contribute to our mission, so we may continue flying veteran funerals and national holidays, please do so here:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/memorial-squadron-mission?fbclid=IwY2xjawSB6fZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF5dVgxTFI1b3hXalliblJ0c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHgPrAHGC3UVj6h2z0va8HrnucekKPQR1HxtCp83nBmZASRoN9EDyLZ2OdGh9_aem_DaGOT1gBd20F67XzvPFuVw

04/25/2026

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1683710816211779/?fs=e&mibextid=wwXIfr&fs=e

04/11/2026

Unfortunately, due to weather, Memorial Squadron was unable to complete our mission today to support the 84th Anniversary of the Bataan Death March in WW2. Please read about it here, and never forget the THOUSANDS of brave Philippine and US soldiers and Philippine civilians who were massacred during this awful event. May they rest in peace. 🙏

The Bataan Death March[a] was the forcible transfer by the Imperial Japanese Army of around 72,000 to 78,000[1][2][3] Filipino (about 66,000) and American (about 12,000) prisoners of war (POWs) from the municipalities of Bagac and Mariveles on the Bataan Peninsula to Camp O'Donnell via San Fernando.

03/29/2026

Today—March 29—is National Vietnam War Veterans Day. It is a national observance honoring the service and sacrifice of millions of Americans who served during the Vietnam War.
We honor you, volunteer or draftee...for answering the call your nation put forth.
The first person to greet me off the airplane after landing on US soil after the first Gulf War was a Vietnam Veteran. He was giving all of us returning troops the warm "Welcome Home" that they didn't get. That wasn't lost on me...and I told him so. He said..."pay it forward."
I took that to heart, and I hope Memorial Squadron can help in that regard.
God Bless our Troops, and all of our veterans...in all climes and places.