Marine Memorial March passes through the Cape Fear

LELAND, NC (WWAY) — A Marine memorial march to honor 11 servicemen who died in a helicopter crash, last year, passed through the Cape Fear Saturday.

The Marine Raider Memorial March aims to honor the seven Marine Raiders who died March 10, 2015 when their Blackhawk helicopter crashed into the Santa Rosa Sound in Navarre, FL during a night training mission. Four National Guardsmen who were piloting the aircraft also died.

Fourteen Marine Raiders from Camp Lejeune began their march on March 11, 2016.

The Marines started the relay-style march at the crash sight in Navarre, FL, and will end it at Courthouse Bay in Camp Lejeune.

As the Marines passed through Leland, a group of supporters cheered them on, waving their American flags. Retired Marine Mary Gibbs, said she would have waited all day to see the group.

“That’s what we are, we are a family and what better way to keep the memory of someone alive than to do something on this magnitude,” Gibbs said. “It’s quite an undertaking, I know, but they’re strong and they can do it.”

The journey from the crash sight to Camp Lejeune is around 770 miles.