HMH-463 Funeral Attendance Fund

Along with the family and friends of the Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron  (HMH) 463 based at MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii  we, Vinnie Accardi - a Blue Star Dad and Melinda Browder - a double Blue Star and Gold Star Mom are deeply saddened by the loss of 12 of our brave Marines in the tragic collision of Marine Corps helicopters on 14 January 2016.  One of Mrs. Browder’s sons is a member of the HMH 463 Unit.  Funeral and Memorials services for our lost Marines will begin taking place in their home towns around the 3rd of February.  Each family is current planning services for their lost son.  All the Marines lost were stationed in Hawaii far from family in the continental US.  As such their "Brothers" also stationed in Hawaii who are compelled to attend the funeral service must do so at their own expense using their personal leave.  The Unit will not pick up any expenses for their trips to honor their fallen brothers.  As you can imagine this can and will be quite an expensive trip for each Marine.  So, we are asking for your assistance to help support Marines from the HMH463 family bid a final farewell to their fallen brothers.  Approximately 24 Marines (2 to each funeral service) would like to travel from Hawaii to the home towns of:
Maj. Shawn M. Campbell, 41, College Station, Texas.
Capt. Kevin T. Roche, 30, St. Louis. MO
Capt. Steven R. Torbert, 29, Florence, Alabama.
Capt. Brian T. Kennedy, 31, Kennedy, Philadelphia, PA
Sgt. Dillon J. Semolina, 24,Chaska, Minnesota.
Sgt. Jeffrey A. Sempler, 22, Woodruff, South Carolina.
Sgt. Adam C. Schoeller, 25, of Gardners, Pennsylvania.
Sgt. William J. Turner, 25, Florala, Alabama.
Cpl. Matthew R. Drown, 23, Spring, Texas.
Cpl. Thomas J. Jardas, 22, Fort Myers, Florida.
Cpl. Christopher J. Orlando, 23, Hingham, Mass.
Lance Cpl. Ty L. Hart, 21, Aumsville, Oregon.

It is expected that the trip for each Marine will be at least $1000 to include airfare and on average 3 days of living expenses.  

While each of the lost Marines will be buried with full Military Honors, those Honors will come from the local community.  Their Unit will not be paying for the 24 Marines to travel from Hawaii to each of the fallen's hometown.  

This is an immediate need so your generosity and expediency would be greatly appreciated so our fallen Marines can be honored by their Brothers they trained, lived and fought beside.  

In Summary:
Who are we and our relationship to the Marines we are raising funds for? - Vincent Accardi: Marine Corps Dad and Friend of Melinda Browder.  Melinda is a Gold Star Mom with 2 other sons in the Marine Corps. One of those son's is in the Pegasus HMH-463 Squadron. Her son along with other Marines in the unit want to attend the funerals and memorials of their fallen brothers but will be doing so without the help of the Marine Corps.

Where are we from - Vincent Accardi from Alexandria Virginia. Melinda Browder from Dacula, Georgia

How the funds will be spent - All funds raised will be used to pay for airline tickets first and then expenses while the Marines are attending funeral and memorial services

How we intend to get the funds to those in need - All funds will be distributed directly to the Marines attending the funerals and services of their fallen Brother.

Thank you and God Bless you, The Marine Corps and the United States of America.