Latest News

9 February 2008

Our condolences to the family of William Cronk.

WILLIAM CRONK INDIAN HARBOUR BEACH William J. Cronk, MSGT US Air Force, retired, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, February 6, 2008. He was born in Poughkeepsie, NY on November 4, 1938. He was preceded in death by his son Gary; father William and brother, George. Bill joined the Air Force in 1958. While in the Air Force he served in the 4950th Test Wing, Advanced Range Instrumentation Aircraft Program (ARIA), which was created for the Apollo Program and subsequent Space Flights. After retiring from the Air Force in 1978 he received his Bachelors Degree in Accounting from Rollins College and became a duty manager at the NCO Club until his retirement. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Dee; children, Scot (Linda), Kevin (Margot) and Kimberly (Mike) Young; grandchildren, William S. and Ryan Cronk, Casey, Dylan and Katheryne Cronk, Larel and Savannah Young; his mother, Arletta and a sister, Donna Weber. Bill was a wonderful son, husband, father, grandfather and a true friend. Those who knew him loved him and he will be greatly missed by all. Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Sunday, February 10th, at Florida Memorial Funeral Home. A mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Monday, February 11th, at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Indialantic, with a committal service following at Florida Memorial Gardens.

5 November 2007

As we enter into the Holiday Season, consider a special gift for a friend or loved one by sponsoring a Memorial Brick in the recipient's name. 

13 June 2007

We will have a booth at the Walkersville Fire Department Annual Carnival from July 2nd through July 7th, we look forward to being there again this year.

The Carnival is easy to find when you get into Walkersville and is located at the Fire Department Grounds.  You can view a map HERE. Carnival Information HERE.

8 June 2007

We will be at Heritage Farm Park at the Memorial Site on Saturday 9 June 2007 at 9:30 am. If you are in the area stop by and say hi!

16 May 2007

We were blessed with beautiful May weather for this years Memorial Service at the National Museum of the Air Force. I want to thank Bob Beach for his contribution to lead the services as he faithfully does each year.

I want to thank everyone for the Memorial Flower Donations and I want to thank Terry Moore for coordinating the purchase and placement of the Memorial Flower arrangement, as always they were beautiful.

It is uplifting to come to pay respect to the crew and passengers of ARIA 328 and become reacquainted with old friends. 

We are again planning to have a booth at the Walkersville Fire Department 4th of July week Carnival. Last year's booth allowed us to share with the community on the construction of the ARIA 328 Memorial. Hope to see you there. 

2 May 2007

On Sunday May 6th at 10:30 am we will be at the ARIA 328 Memorial at the National Museum of the Air Force for the Annual Memorial Service. I know that those who cannot be there physically will be there in spirit. There are those from Walkersville that will be making the Journey to the Memorial Service at the ARIA 328 Memorial in Dayton for the first time and I look forward to seeing you again.

For those who will be traveling to Heritage Farm Park in Walkersville we wish you a safe journey. I know that there are 328 Family Members that are making this Journey for the first time, our prayers are with you. 

If you are a Family Member and would like to visit Heritage Farm Park we will help you with the information that you need. Feel free to contact Randy Losey anytime.

4 March 2007

Construction of the ARIA 328 Memorial for the target dedication date of 6 May 2007 required us to have reached our target financial goal by 1 March 2007. We did not meet our goal for construction of the Memorial this year.

When we approached the Town of Walkersville for the land donation, we decided that the construction of the Memorial should be made in one stage. We knew that to raise the $100,000.00 required for the construction in 2007 was extremely aggressive. This translates to having 1000 4x8 Memorial Bricks sponsored.

When the ARIA 328 Memorial in Walkersville is completed it will be a beautiful tribute to the Crew and Passengers of ARIA 328 and to the Walkersville Fire Department and other first responders.

We need you to meet our new target completion date for the summer of 2008.

I want to thank all of you that have donated. Without you we would not be able to meet our goal. Not only have you provided financial support, you have given a part of yourself in support of this worthy mission.

Randy Losey

26 January 2007

2006 has drawn to a close and I am looking forward to a productive 2007.

Just as a reminder, if you haven't received your 2006 Donations Receipts contact the Foundation and a duplicate will be sent out.

We primarily send Donation Receipts by email. If your email address has changed please contact us so we can update your records. And don't forget you can always send us an email to say Hi!

In the following weeks I will be sending out an update to where we are in the construction of the ARIA 328 Memorial in Walkersville.

23 November 2006

As we are heading into the Holiday season please keep the ARIA 328 Memorial Foundation in mind. What a great gift to donate to the Foundation in a loved ones name. For more information contact inquiry@ARIAMemorial.com.

27 August 2006

Added most asked questions and answers about the ARIA 328 Memorial Foundation and it's Mission. A must read.

12 August 2006

Some of you may have experience problems reaching ARIAMemorial.com. Due to a hardware failure the ARIAMemorial.com site was down for about 12 hours.
 
If you notice any problems with the web site please contact the Webmaster@ARIAMemorial.com. Thank you.

15 July 2006

I want to thank everyone that stopped by our booth at the Walkersville Fire Department Carnival.

The purpose of our presence at the Carnival was to share with the community the history that we share in the loss of ARIA 328 and the history of the Advanced Range Instrumentation Aircraft Program. We informed the community of the construction of the ARIA 328 Memorial and provided them a way to participate in supporting the Memorial.

Many of you shared with us the events of 6 May 1981 and showed us how important it is to construct the ARIA 328 Memorial. The monetary support that was given is truly appreciated. For me, the high point in the week was when a Boy Scout from the local Troop inquired to what he could do to help in the construction of the Memorial. I will be contacting him and his Troop leader in the coming days.

I want to thank the representatives of a number of organizations that stopped by that want to help with the construction of the Memorial. I want to thank the Walkersville Fire Department for supporting the construction of the ARIA 328 Memorial and for supplying us a great spot at the Carnival.

Finally, I want to thank David and Mark Denn and Family for providing and setting up our Booth at the Carnival and for making my Family feel at home.

28 June 2006

We have a booth at the Walkersville Fire Department annual Carnival from July 2nd through July 8th. If you are in the area stop by. You will have the opportunity to see the ARIA 328 Memorial Coin and get one for yourself. We will also have some beautiful limited edition lithographs available for a donation. It will be a great week and I hope we see you there.

29 May 2006

The Town of Walkersville has added Oak Trees to the 328 Memorial Site. They will enhance the Memorial and were a wonderful surprise.

10 May 2006

I have just returned from the 25th Annual ARIA 328 Memorial Service and Reunion in Florida. The fellowship that was shared has made the past week extremely memorable and is a testament to the bond that ties the ARIA Alumni and the ARIA 328 family.

In the coming week I will provide pictures of the Memorial Service and other information and stories to the web site.

I want to thank Richard Donnelly for all of his hard work in making the Reunion a reality. You have done well.

Randy Losey

20 April 2006

We are please to announce the availability of ARIA 328 Memorial Coins on May 15th. This project is spearheaded by Bob Beach and Mike Allen and they have financed the production of the coins. All proceeds will benefit the ARIA 328 Memorial in Walkersville Maryland.

For those of you who are attending the 25 year Memorial/Reunion Cruise, you will have the first chance to receive the first of the Memorial Coins. They will be available for a minimum donation of $15.00.

If you are attending the ARIA 328 Memorial Service on 6 May at the National Museum of the Air Force be advised that parking will be limited. The Museum has allocated a limited number of parking spaces for those attending the service at 10:30am. There is a planned landing of a C141 at the Museum so it is advised to arrive early.

31 December 2005

We here at the ARIA 328 Memorial Foundation have had a very blessed year. We have found new family in the Town of Walkersville. We have organized and created the ARIA 328 Memorial Foundation and obtained tax exempt status without any obstacles.

The Burgess, Commissioners, Park Committee, and the Town Manager,  have worked with us with open arms. It is only because of their support that we can construct the ARIA 328 Memorial in Walkersville, words cannot describe how grateful we are.

I want to wish everyone a happy and safe new year.

Randy Losey
 

23 December 2005

We are ramping up our fundraising drive to officially commence 1QTR 2006.

10 August 2005

On 10 August 2005 the ARIA 328 Walkersville Memorial Project was approved by the Burgess and Commissioners of the Town of Walkersville.

We are extremely grateful to Burgess Whitmore, Commissioners, and the Park Committee for approval of the ARIA 328 Walkersville Memorial. This Memorial will pay respect to our lost ARIA family and will recognize the Town of Walkersville, Walkersville Fire Department, and other responders that searched for our family that May day to whom we are grateful.

5 August 2005

On 3 August 2005 the Walkersville Parks and Recreation Committee approved a site for the ARIA 328 Walkersville Memorial in Heritage Farm Park. On 10 August 2005 the ARIA 328 Walkersville Memorial project will be presented to the Burgess and Commissioners for approval. We would like to have you there for support.

I want to thank the Walkersville Parks and Recreation Committee for approving a site in Heritage Farm Park. The location that you have selected has exceeded our expectations. You have welcomed the ARIA family to your community with open arms and we are grateful in the manner in which you have addressed this Memorial.

Randy Losey

24 July 2005

DATE CHANGE! The Town of Walkersville has moved a park dedication to September 7th. The meeting with the Town of Walkersville has been changed to Wednesday 3 August 2005. We will be meeting with the Town of Walkersville at the Town Hall, 21 West Frederick Street Walkersville Maryland, to present drawings and pictures of the proposed 328 Memorial. We would like to have you there for support.

Map link to Town Hall, Walkersville_Md

11 June 2005

On 7 September 2005 at 7:30PM we will be meeting with the Town of Walkersville at the Town Hall, 21 West Frederick Street Walkersville Maryland, to present drawings and pictures of the proposed 328 Memorial. We would like to have you there for support.

1 June 2005

We have received news from the Town of Walkersville, Maryland that at the 1 June 2005 Parks Committee meeting the Memorial concept was approved. I want to thank the Honorable Debbie Zimmerman Commissioner and the Parks Committee in considering this proposal. We look forward with working with the City of Walkersville.