Panama City Beach, FL - In an awesome display of honor and innovation, Man in the Sea and Warrior Memorial Reefs Foundation joined forces to deploy the awe-inspiring "Military Divers Memorial" artificial reef on April 30th, 2024. This monumental event, set against the picturesque backdrop of Panama City Beach, FL, not only pays homage to fallen warriors but also charts a new course in underwater conservation and tribute.
The "Military Divers Memorial" stands as a symbol of the bravery and sacrifice of military divers, offering them a final resting place while preserving and restoring marine ecosystems for the Emerald Coast. Conceived by the visionary mind of Steve Mulholland, Director of Man in the Sea, this breathtaking memorial is a fusion of concrete, steel, stainless steel, alloy metals, and brass, weighing in at a substantial 1300 pounds and towering 5 feet high. The memorial left from Naval Diving Salvage and training center Panama City this morning on board YDT -18, one of the boats from the Navy Dive School. They carefully placed it in 78 feet of water, about four miles south of Rick Seltzer Park off Thomas Drive.
At its zenith, a majestic brass Mark V diver's helmet serves as a beacon of valor, affixed to a column that proudly bears a brass plaque inscribed with the heartfelt words, "Dedicated to the brave military divers that have served this great country." The fusion of artistry and tribute embodied in this structure is a testament to the unwavering commitment of these heroes.
Joe Theodorou, Founder and President of Warrior Memorial Reefs Foundation, expressed profound gratitude for the collaborative efforts that made this deployment possible. He credited Chantille Weber, Bay County’s Coastal Resource Coordinator, for her instrumental role in navigating the complex logistics and ensuring the timely realization of this ambitious project.
“Steve reached out to Warriors Memorial Reefs Foundation to assist with the logistics of executing the deployment of the Military Divers Memorial. We were very honored to support this great opportunity for the Military Diving Community, to continue to honor these great warriors. However, permitting for deployment of artificial reefs can be challenging, but with the assistance of Chantille Weber, Bay County’s Coastal Resource Coordinator, she simplified the process and was able to meet our tight timeframe opportunity. So, we really would like to thank her for that.” said Joe Theodorou
The deployment of the "Military Divers Memorial" marks a pivotal moment for both Man in the Sea and Warrior Memorial Reefs Foundation, as they forge ahead in their shared mission to support the Active/Veteran Dive Community through their 501(c)(3) initiatives. This deployment heralds the dawn of a series of future endeavors, promising further enriching experiences and tributes to the indomitable spirit of military divers.
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Contact info@maninthesea.org
